What do you think?
Rate this book
Dove Pond #1
The Book Charmer
Prepare to fall under the spell of a story following two fiercely independent women and their truly magical friendship in a sleepy Southern town, from New York Times bestselling author of Karen Hawkins.
Sarah Dove is no ordinary bookworm. To her, books live, breathe, and sometimes even speak. As the librarian in her quaint Southern town of Dove Pond, her gift helps place every book in the hands of the perfect reader. Recently, however, the books have been whispering about something out of the ordinary: the arrival of a displaced city girl named Grace Wheeler.
If the books are right, Grace could be the savior Dove Pond desperately needs. The problem is, Grace wants little to do with the town or its quirky residents—Sarah chief among them. But with a bit of urging, and the help of an especially wise book, will Grace ultimately embrace the challenge to rescue her charmed new community?
Sarah Dove is no ordinary bookworm. To her, books live, breathe, and sometimes even speak. As the librarian in her quaint Southern town of Dove Pond, her gift helps place every book in the hands of the perfect reader. Recently, however, the books have been whispering about something out of the ordinary: the arrival of a displaced city girl named Grace Wheeler.
If the books are right, Grace could be the savior Dove Pond desperately needs. The problem is, Grace wants little to do with the town or its quirky residents—Sarah chief among them. But with a bit of urging, and the help of an especially wise book, will Grace ultimately embrace the challenge to rescue her charmed new community?
368 pages, Hardcover
First published July 30, 2019
2121 people are currently reading
28879 people want to read
About the author
Karen Hawkins
59 books3,005 followersNew York Times and USA Today bestselling author Karen Hawkins writes novels that have been praised as touching, witty, charming, and heartwarming. A native Southerner who grew up in the mountains of East Tennessee where storytelling is a way of life, Karen recently moved to frosty New England with her beloved husband and multiple foster dogs. The Dove Pond books are a nod to the thousands of books that opened doors to more adventures, places, and discoveries than she ever imagined possible. To find out more about Karen, follow her at:
FACEBOOK • TWITTER • INSTAGRAM • PINTEREST
If you'd like to keep up with Karen's crazed and hectic schedule, win free books, find out about her coming releases, or just want to engage in some easy on-line snooping, sign up for Karen's amazing newsletter!
FACEBOOK • TWITTER • INSTAGRAM • PINTEREST
If you'd like to keep up with Karen's crazed and hectic schedule, win free books, find out about her coming releases, or just want to engage in some easy on-line snooping, sign up for Karen's amazing newsletter!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,315 reviews
June 29, 2019
4.5 Stars
"But that's the beauty of a book. It can take you places you can't visit on your own, lets you meet people and see things you can't in real life."
Sarah Dove has a gift (all of the Dove sisters do!). Books speak to her, they tell her who needs to read them, they don't tell her why, but they are never wrong. As the town librarian, she places books and readers together. Then one day a book tells her about the arrival of Grace Wheeler. The books whisper to Sarah that Grace will be the one to save the town and return it to its former glory.
Grace Wheeler and her sister Hannah bounced from foster home to foster home until they were placed with Mama G. There they found a home and Grace discovered the joy of reading and a connection with Louisa May Alcott's Little Women. Now an adult, Grace has quit her job and moved to Mama G's hometown of Dove Pond to care for Mama G and her niece. Both who desperately need her. Grace has no intentions of making this town her own. She plans to stay a short time before heading back to the city. But the books, Sarah and the townspeople have other plans.
I did not want to put this book down (so I didn't). It had so many things going for it: a librarian who found the perfect books for each reader (actually the books choose the readers), a strong female lead who was strong and vulnerable at the same time, Mama G (man, did she have me crying), a wounded vet, a little magical realism and likable (even lovable) characters. This is the first in the series so here I am doing a happy dance.
This was the perfect summer read for me. At times light and fun, other times it touches on serious issues - PTSD, Alzheimer’s, and grief to name a few. But it also touches on finding a family, being a friend, love, human connections, being part of a community, starting over, taking chances and letting people in. I didn't want to put this book down. I was absorbed in the story and even though it is a little predictable it did not affect my enjoyment of the book in any way. The Book is called “The Book Charmer” which is Sarah, but the book is more about Grace and her family. I have a strong feeling that Sarah will be the focus of the next book (fingers crossed). I wanted a little more at the end. It did feel as if the book ended a little abruptly but there was an epilogue which tied some things up. There will be more books in the series so I know there will be more to come with the quirky enjoyable characters.
*Plus, it has a beautiful cover!
Thank you to Gallery Pocket Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
"But that's the beauty of a book. It can take you places you can't visit on your own, lets you meet people and see things you can't in real life."
Sarah Dove has a gift (all of the Dove sisters do!). Books speak to her, they tell her who needs to read them, they don't tell her why, but they are never wrong. As the town librarian, she places books and readers together. Then one day a book tells her about the arrival of Grace Wheeler. The books whisper to Sarah that Grace will be the one to save the town and return it to its former glory.
Grace Wheeler and her sister Hannah bounced from foster home to foster home until they were placed with Mama G. There they found a home and Grace discovered the joy of reading and a connection with Louisa May Alcott's Little Women. Now an adult, Grace has quit her job and moved to Mama G's hometown of Dove Pond to care for Mama G and her niece. Both who desperately need her. Grace has no intentions of making this town her own. She plans to stay a short time before heading back to the city. But the books, Sarah and the townspeople have other plans.
I did not want to put this book down (so I didn't). It had so many things going for it: a librarian who found the perfect books for each reader (actually the books choose the readers), a strong female lead who was strong and vulnerable at the same time, Mama G (man, did she have me crying), a wounded vet, a little magical realism and likable (even lovable) characters. This is the first in the series so here I am doing a happy dance.
This was the perfect summer read for me. At times light and fun, other times it touches on serious issues - PTSD, Alzheimer’s, and grief to name a few. But it also touches on finding a family, being a friend, love, human connections, being part of a community, starting over, taking chances and letting people in. I didn't want to put this book down. I was absorbed in the story and even though it is a little predictable it did not affect my enjoyment of the book in any way. The Book is called “The Book Charmer” which is Sarah, but the book is more about Grace and her family. I have a strong feeling that Sarah will be the focus of the next book (fingers crossed). I wanted a little more at the end. It did feel as if the book ended a little abruptly but there was an epilogue which tied some things up. There will be more books in the series so I know there will be more to come with the quirky enjoyable characters.
*Plus, it has a beautiful cover!
Thank you to Gallery Pocket Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 23, 2020
The Book Charmer by Karen Hawkins is a 2019 Gallery Books publication.
Offbeat and Amusing! This fanciful romance is a lovely gift for book lovers!
Dove Pond librarian, Sarah Dove, has a special knack for picking out just the right book for her patrons. When Grace Wheeler moves to Dove Pond, it is only on a temporary basis. Sarah, though, is convinced Grace is the person who will save Dove Pond from financial ruin. Sarah is determined to make a Grace a permanent resident.
Grace proves to be a little more stubborn than Sarah bargained for, though...
I’ve read a few of Karen Hawkins’ delightful historical romance novels over the years, but I must say, I think Hawkins has one-upped herself with this one!
This is an adorable small -town romance, occasionally poignant and bittersweet, with just a splash of magic realism. The special books in Sarah's library are characters themselves and this element will especially enchant book lovers!
Overall, wonderful feel-good kind of story anyone can enjoy!!
Offbeat and Amusing! This fanciful romance is a lovely gift for book lovers!
Dove Pond librarian, Sarah Dove, has a special knack for picking out just the right book for her patrons. When Grace Wheeler moves to Dove Pond, it is only on a temporary basis. Sarah, though, is convinced Grace is the person who will save Dove Pond from financial ruin. Sarah is determined to make a Grace a permanent resident.
Grace proves to be a little more stubborn than Sarah bargained for, though...
I’ve read a few of Karen Hawkins’ delightful historical romance novels over the years, but I must say, I think Hawkins has one-upped herself with this one!
This is an adorable small -town romance, occasionally poignant and bittersweet, with just a splash of magic realism. The special books in Sarah's library are characters themselves and this element will especially enchant book lovers!
Overall, wonderful feel-good kind of story anyone can enjoy!!
July 24, 2019
This was the best magical escape I could have asked for!! I just LOVED this book!
Have you ever read a book and was so completely sad that you finished the last page? Well.. this was that for me! I was savoring every moment and didn't want it to end!
I would love to live in this special town of Dove Pond. Sarah Dove is the librarian for Dove Pond and what a librarian she is. She lives, breathes, and even talks to the books. Her wonderful gift is to place each book into the hands of the correct reader.
A new fellow traveler has come to the town of Dove Pond named Grace Wheeler. She has become the talk of the town and according to the books of this town... Grace is to be the savior of this dying town.
Grace has her hands full... she is taking care of her foster mom who is suffering from dementia and her niece Daisy who just lost her mom.. who is being taken care of by Grace now.
The story alternates between the POV's of Grace, Sarah, and Trav (the next door neighbor who suffers from PTSD). Oh my goodness my friends this book was so beautiful and I fell in love with this entire town and the amazing people in it!!
I couldn't get enough of Dove Pond... I can't wait to see where the author brings us with the next in the series!!!
This is a must read and one of my favorite reads so far this year!!!
Absolutely love love love!!
4.5 stars!
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Gallery Pocket Books for the advanced arc in exchange for an honest review.
Publication date: 7/30/19
Published to GR: 7/23/19
Have you ever read a book and was so completely sad that you finished the last page? Well.. this was that for me! I was savoring every moment and didn't want it to end!
I would love to live in this special town of Dove Pond. Sarah Dove is the librarian for Dove Pond and what a librarian she is. She lives, breathes, and even talks to the books. Her wonderful gift is to place each book into the hands of the correct reader.
A new fellow traveler has come to the town of Dove Pond named Grace Wheeler. She has become the talk of the town and according to the books of this town... Grace is to be the savior of this dying town.
Grace has her hands full... she is taking care of her foster mom who is suffering from dementia and her niece Daisy who just lost her mom.. who is being taken care of by Grace now.
The story alternates between the POV's of Grace, Sarah, and Trav (the next door neighbor who suffers from PTSD). Oh my goodness my friends this book was so beautiful and I fell in love with this entire town and the amazing people in it!!
I couldn't get enough of Dove Pond... I can't wait to see where the author brings us with the next in the series!!!
This is a must read and one of my favorite reads so far this year!!!
Absolutely love love love!!
4.5 stars!
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Gallery Pocket Books for the advanced arc in exchange for an honest review.
Publication date: 7/30/19
Published to GR: 7/23/19
September 6, 2025
This is a Magic Realism about a small town, and this is the first book in the Dove Pond series. I have to say this books cover is so pretty and that is why I got this book. I did also love reading this book. I did not know this book was apart of a series, but it is book 1 in the Dove Pond series. I will be getting book 2. This book is mainly about saving the town Dove pond. There is magical realism in this book. Books talks to Sarah the towns librarian. I think it was a fun book with a little romance at the end. I fall in love with the books characters. Great book.
July 8, 2019
4.5 magical ⭐️S!
Sarah Dove is the librarian of Dove Pond, but she is no ordinary librarian. Books are more than just objects to her: they live, breathe, and sometimes they even speak. Her gift is to place each book in the hands of the correct reader.
But, recently they have been whispering about the arrival of Grace Wheeler. If the books are right, (and they haven’t been wrong yet!) Grace, the new town clerk will be the savior of this financially strapped, dying town.
But, Grace only plans to stay one year, and she doesn’t have room on her plate for any more demands on her time. She has arrived with her foster mom, Mamma G, who is suffering from dementia, and her niece, Daisy, who has just lost her own mom, and is now being raised by her Aunt Grace.
The book opens with a prologue, one chapter introducing you to Sarah Dove and her gift-(all the Dove Sisters have one) and one chapter introducing you to how Grace and her sister Hannah, come to live with Mamma G.
The story then alternates between the point of views of Grace, (who is the actual main character of this book), Sarah, (my favorite chapters!) and Trav, the next door neighbor who suffers from PTSD, and needs some healing of his own.
You know the kind of book that makes you sad when it ends, because you don’t want to say goodbye to the characters? This is one of those books.
The kind that makes you wish you lived in this town, and were blessed to have these people in your life.
I wanted to know more about how Mamma G broke through to Grace and Hannah when they came to live with her. I want more of Sarah Dove. And, I want to know what happens in the next chapters of all of their lives!
Fortunately, this is just book one in the Dove Pond series, so this isn’t Goodbye...it’s just goodbye for now!
Favorite quote: “Love can’t cure a broken heart, but it can hold the two sides together while they heal” ❤️
Hurry up and write the next installment, Ms. Hawkins! I am watching for its release!
Thank You to NetGalley, Gallery, Pocket books and Karen Hawkins for the digital ARC I received in exchange for a candid review!
Recommended for you if you love books with quaint towns, and charming characters who make you smile and cry-this installment will be available to read on July 30, 2019!
Sarah Dove is the librarian of Dove Pond, but she is no ordinary librarian. Books are more than just objects to her: they live, breathe, and sometimes they even speak. Her gift is to place each book in the hands of the correct reader.
But, recently they have been whispering about the arrival of Grace Wheeler. If the books are right, (and they haven’t been wrong yet!) Grace, the new town clerk will be the savior of this financially strapped, dying town.
But, Grace only plans to stay one year, and she doesn’t have room on her plate for any more demands on her time. She has arrived with her foster mom, Mamma G, who is suffering from dementia, and her niece, Daisy, who has just lost her own mom, and is now being raised by her Aunt Grace.
The book opens with a prologue, one chapter introducing you to Sarah Dove and her gift-(all the Dove Sisters have one) and one chapter introducing you to how Grace and her sister Hannah, come to live with Mamma G.
The story then alternates between the point of views of Grace, (who is the actual main character of this book), Sarah, (my favorite chapters!) and Trav, the next door neighbor who suffers from PTSD, and needs some healing of his own.
You know the kind of book that makes you sad when it ends, because you don’t want to say goodbye to the characters? This is one of those books.
The kind that makes you wish you lived in this town, and were blessed to have these people in your life.
I wanted to know more about how Mamma G broke through to Grace and Hannah when they came to live with her. I want more of Sarah Dove. And, I want to know what happens in the next chapters of all of their lives!
Fortunately, this is just book one in the Dove Pond series, so this isn’t Goodbye...it’s just goodbye for now!
Favorite quote: “Love can’t cure a broken heart, but it can hold the two sides together while they heal” ❤️
Hurry up and write the next installment, Ms. Hawkins! I am watching for its release!
Thank You to NetGalley, Gallery, Pocket books and Karen Hawkins for the digital ARC I received in exchange for a candid review!
Recommended for you if you love books with quaint towns, and charming characters who make you smile and cry-this installment will be available to read on July 30, 2019!
September 24, 2019
Thanks to Netgalley for providing a copy of this book for review.
I'm a fan of Sara Addison Allen and have been hoping for another book like "Garden Spells" for a long time. This one seemed to tick all the boxes- quirky Southern town, magical realism (plus magic books!), women who learn to rely on each other. Why not try it?
I will answer my own question. The book is slow, bland as unsalted butter, and I didn't care about the characters. I will give detail:
The pace of the book is glacial, and I don't even think we're really going to get to the end of the "plot" in this book. Basically, the town of Dove Pond is in the red financially and has been going downhill for 25 years. The same mayor, an utterly uncharming and negligent man who only wants to go fishing, has been elected for 15 years. No one in town knows how bad things are until Grace blazes into town with her mother and niece, takes the town clerk position even though she is a financial advisor whiz and the job is far beneath her (no joke, it really is, and it's too bad no one has been doing that job for the last 15 years) and discovers the financial mayhem. There's some handwaving about how the mayor has no oversight, no town council, no board of directors or anything, but basically everyone has either been incompetent or oblivious. This revelation takes over 200 pages to appear, because the author is more concerned about discussing how everyone drinks their coffee and setting the stage for quirky characters. This could actually be in interesting plot in a different book in which the author cared about how to save the town. But the author really is setting many slow burn romances in motion and doesn't want to focus on this idea, just needs it as an excuse to talk about quirky characters. I don't actually mind the idea of quirky characters but they are also
Bland as unsalted butter. The author seems like she is using a Pinterest board of things that people like and then put them all in this little Southern town. She has included: a family of seven sisters who can all do different semi-magic things. One bakes cake, one makes teas, one is a librarian who chooses books for people. Who doesn't like cake, tea or books (who is this book's target audience)? I love all these things myself. Other things include: cats, ghosts (maybe), flowers, old houses, childhood sweethearts, festivals and ( think I can see this one coming) makeovers. Really, if you can turn your brain off and just get a dopamine response whenever you read about a cat, a book, coffee, cake, or coffee cake, you'll actually do very well. But the characters don't make sense.
Characters: Grace is a "financial advisor" from Charlotte (or another big Southern city, it doesn't really matter). I don't think the author has much of a clue what a financial advisor does, but she needs a character who knows money because that character must save Dove Pond. Grace is Uptight. She, to be fair, has to care for her niece (sister's tragically dead) and her foster mother who is going downhill from dementia- this is why they came to Dove Pond in the first place; Mama G needs familiar surroundings. Although Grace is in her mid-twenties, the first time she sees her obvious love interest driving his motorcycle, she despises him because he rides a motorcycle, has long hair and tattoos (looks like Khal Drogo in the author's attempt to get us into the twenty first century despite all the characters acting like they live in 1980) and has scars. So, she was told that he's a veteran before she ever sees him, but looks down on him because he has scars. Really. I never really took to Grace, not because she's uptight, but because she feels like a character idea rather than a character. Her traits are: uptight, angry, city girl. Grace's love interest is Travis. His traits are: angry, depressed,deep down a real find. The author even lists why Travis is a find: he is an adult male, he has a house, he has a business (it's a manly mechanic business inherited from his father), he was captain of the high school football team. I am serious. The author lets us know that many women in Dove Pond have been trying to get Trav to "notice them" (because I guess in Southern USA Brigadoon women can't ask a guy out, they can only hope he notices them). Despite Travis's long hair and tattoos, he acts like a guy in a Cialis ad. He only drives his motorcycle in town, under the speed limit (although he does like to rev the engine), and his favorite thing is to wash and wax the motorcycle. He doesn't like kids (I have sympathy for him on this one; our child character Daisy has a bad case of Adorable Urchin Syndrome) except of course he really does like kids; he just doesn't know it yet. Also, Sarah our magic librarian and Travis are best friends and have been forever even though Travis was the popular captain of the football team/valedictorian/homecoming king and Sarah was "edgy", whatever that means in Dove Pond. Nothing about this makes much sense ( do the most popular kid in school and a social outcast usually stay friends without any complications or baggage in small town high schools?) but because all of these characters are just a collection of character traits instead of characters who act like people, I guess you have to just go with it.
Grace, Travis and Sarah the magical librarian all act like they are at least in their 50's, more like 70's although they are supposedly in their 20's( I say as a 50 year old woman). Dove Pond has apparently never heard of Powerpoint or websites, because all meetings and notifications are done with handouts and flyers. I have a feeling that Dove Pond is entirely white ( a few characters have "brown skin" but otherwise the default is white and middle class). If this book had been set back in the 80's, it would make a lot more sense, but as it is, it's written for a target audience that likes its paper instead of technology, in more interested in a VERY slow semi-romance than in a plot, and really is just reading for a pleasant way to turn the brain off for a bit. If you're looking for that, you may find it here. But I got irritated instead of calmed due to the cookie-cutter characters and the paper-thin plot (which looks like it will get strung out over at least seven books because there are seven magical Dove sisters). It takes a lot for a book with books, cake and magic to utterly fail with me, but two thirds of the way through I can't take it anymore.
I'm a fan of Sara Addison Allen and have been hoping for another book like "Garden Spells" for a long time. This one seemed to tick all the boxes- quirky Southern town, magical realism (plus magic books!), women who learn to rely on each other. Why not try it?
I will answer my own question. The book is slow, bland as unsalted butter, and I didn't care about the characters. I will give detail:
The pace of the book is glacial, and I don't even think we're really going to get to the end of the "plot" in this book. Basically, the town of Dove Pond is in the red financially and has been going downhill for 25 years. The same mayor, an utterly uncharming and negligent man who only wants to go fishing, has been elected for 15 years. No one in town knows how bad things are until Grace blazes into town with her mother and niece, takes the town clerk position even though she is a financial advisor whiz and the job is far beneath her (no joke, it really is, and it's too bad no one has been doing that job for the last 15 years) and discovers the financial mayhem. There's some handwaving about how the mayor has no oversight, no town council, no board of directors or anything, but basically everyone has either been incompetent or oblivious. This revelation takes over 200 pages to appear, because the author is more concerned about discussing how everyone drinks their coffee and setting the stage for quirky characters. This could actually be in interesting plot in a different book in which the author cared about how to save the town. But the author really is setting many slow burn romances in motion and doesn't want to focus on this idea, just needs it as an excuse to talk about quirky characters. I don't actually mind the idea of quirky characters but they are also
Bland as unsalted butter. The author seems like she is using a Pinterest board of things that people like and then put them all in this little Southern town. She has included: a family of seven sisters who can all do different semi-magic things. One bakes cake, one makes teas, one is a librarian who chooses books for people. Who doesn't like cake, tea or books (who is this book's target audience)? I love all these things myself. Other things include: cats, ghosts (maybe), flowers, old houses, childhood sweethearts, festivals and ( think I can see this one coming) makeovers. Really, if you can turn your brain off and just get a dopamine response whenever you read about a cat, a book, coffee, cake, or coffee cake, you'll actually do very well. But the characters don't make sense.
Characters: Grace is a "financial advisor" from Charlotte (or another big Southern city, it doesn't really matter). I don't think the author has much of a clue what a financial advisor does, but she needs a character who knows money because that character must save Dove Pond. Grace is Uptight. She, to be fair, has to care for her niece (sister's tragically dead) and her foster mother who is going downhill from dementia- this is why they came to Dove Pond in the first place; Mama G needs familiar surroundings. Although Grace is in her mid-twenties, the first time she sees her obvious love interest driving his motorcycle, she despises him because he rides a motorcycle, has long hair and tattoos (looks like Khal Drogo in the author's attempt to get us into the twenty first century despite all the characters acting like they live in 1980) and has scars. So, she was told that he's a veteran before she ever sees him, but looks down on him because he has scars. Really. I never really took to Grace, not because she's uptight, but because she feels like a character idea rather than a character. Her traits are: uptight, angry, city girl. Grace's love interest is Travis. His traits are: angry, depressed,deep down a real find. The author even lists why Travis is a find: he is an adult male, he has a house, he has a business (it's a manly mechanic business inherited from his father), he was captain of the high school football team. I am serious. The author lets us know that many women in Dove Pond have been trying to get Trav to "notice them" (because I guess in Southern USA Brigadoon women can't ask a guy out, they can only hope he notices them). Despite Travis's long hair and tattoos, he acts like a guy in a Cialis ad. He only drives his motorcycle in town, under the speed limit (although he does like to rev the engine), and his favorite thing is to wash and wax the motorcycle. He doesn't like kids (I have sympathy for him on this one; our child character Daisy has a bad case of Adorable Urchin Syndrome) except of course he really does like kids; he just doesn't know it yet. Also, Sarah our magic librarian and Travis are best friends and have been forever even though Travis was the popular captain of the football team/valedictorian/homecoming king and Sarah was "edgy", whatever that means in Dove Pond. Nothing about this makes much sense ( do the most popular kid in school and a social outcast usually stay friends without any complications or baggage in small town high schools?) but because all of these characters are just a collection of character traits instead of characters who act like people, I guess you have to just go with it.
Grace, Travis and Sarah the magical librarian all act like they are at least in their 50's, more like 70's although they are supposedly in their 20's( I say as a 50 year old woman). Dove Pond has apparently never heard of Powerpoint or websites, because all meetings and notifications are done with handouts and flyers. I have a feeling that Dove Pond is entirely white ( a few characters have "brown skin" but otherwise the default is white and middle class). If this book had been set back in the 80's, it would make a lot more sense, but as it is, it's written for a target audience that likes its paper instead of technology, in more interested in a VERY slow semi-romance than in a plot, and really is just reading for a pleasant way to turn the brain off for a bit. If you're looking for that, you may find it here. But I got irritated instead of calmed due to the cookie-cutter characters and the paper-thin plot (which looks like it will get strung out over at least seven books because there are seven magical Dove sisters). It takes a lot for a book with books, cake and magic to utterly fail with me, but two thirds of the way through I can't take it anymore.
June 26, 2020
"The Book Charmer" by Karen Hawkins was a cute read!
This book is about love, learning to build friendships & relationships, and saving a struggling town from bankruptcy. But it's about so much more than that... Grace Wheeler, aunt to 8 year old Daisy, becomes her mom after her sister, Hannah, suddenly dies. Grace is also caring for her foster mother, who she dearly loves, recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease.
Grace, a child from the foster care system, has always struggled with relationships, focusing instead on her school work, career and now the burden of her new circumstances. But once she begins to open up to the new town, others start opening up to her. Funny how all that works!
This book is full of serious subjects that are dealt with humor and a sprinkle of whimsy. Oh, and there's also lots of small-town America quirky characters to help move the book along.
I'm a sucker for a sweet book that's full of hope, caring folks & love! Throw in a little Southern charm and I'm all in!
This book is about love, learning to build friendships & relationships, and saving a struggling town from bankruptcy. But it's about so much more than that... Grace Wheeler, aunt to 8 year old Daisy, becomes her mom after her sister, Hannah, suddenly dies. Grace is also caring for her foster mother, who she dearly loves, recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease.
Grace, a child from the foster care system, has always struggled with relationships, focusing instead on her school work, career and now the burden of her new circumstances. But once she begins to open up to the new town, others start opening up to her. Funny how all that works!
This book is full of serious subjects that are dealt with humor and a sprinkle of whimsy. Oh, and there's also lots of small-town America quirky characters to help move the book along.
I'm a sucker for a sweet book that's full of hope, caring folks & love! Throw in a little Southern charm and I'm all in!
July 18, 2019
If a book were to speak to you -- which one would it be? What would its message be? In this new novel, Sarah hears books speaking to her. They choose their next reader and can be quite stubborn. This touch of magic realism enhances the narrative in this sweetly Southern small-town story. I was charmed by both Sarah Dove and Grace Wheeler in this new novel. Will the Dove Pond Social Committee be able to revive the town and save it from extinction? I hope you enjoy this one as much as I did!
Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 15, 2021
“The Book Charmer” (Dove Pond #1) by Karen Hawkins
🌟🌟🌟🌟
This was a very enjoyable, light hearted, charming with a touch of magical read. I loved reading about the small town of Dove Pond and all the extraordinary character that brought this story to life. I am definitely looking forward to reading “Dove Pond #2” and the continuation of the family and friends revolving around this quaint little town.
🌟🌟🌟🌟
This was a very enjoyable, light hearted, charming with a touch of magical read. I loved reading about the small town of Dove Pond and all the extraordinary character that brought this story to life. I am definitely looking forward to reading “Dove Pond #2” and the continuation of the family and friends revolving around this quaint little town.
July 22, 2019
New York Times, Best-Selling Author, Susan Anderson called The Book Charmer, “A mesmerizing fusion of the mystical and the everyday” and I think she sums it up perfectly. I completely slipped into the everyday affairs of this quaint town and its struggles as I embraced the mystical qualities of the Dove’s and community.
Our story begins when we meet the seventh daughter of the Dove family, Sarah Dove. Legend has it that good things happen to the town of Dove Pond when the seventh daughter is born. Sarah is a bookworm, and not just any bookworm, for in her seventh year, the books speak to her. Not out loud, but they whisper to her and because of this she knows exactly what book each person in town needs and when they need it. The town desperately needs the miracle promised with the seventh daughter and the signs of its approach are appearing. Sarah just doesn’t know what she is supposed to do. I felt for Sarah; she feels the weight of her responsibility and doesn’t want to fail.
Grace Wheeler arrives in town with his deceased sister’s daughter and her aging mother who is suffering from dementia. She has accepted the town clerk job because it offers flexible hours and a home to go with it. For her it’s a temporary fix. I love when life or perhaps fate has other plans.
The tale that unfolds was wonderful and I lost myself in this small southern town. I laughed, cried and wanted to stay. I thought at first the book would focus mostly on Sarah, but it was truly Grace’s story and those within her circle. We get romance, address dementia, PTSD, acceptance, and see a family being built and taking root. Throughout the story Hawkins weaves magical realism and books….. wonderful books!
This is one of those stories that wrap you up in its warm magical embrace and transports you. For a spell I was a member of Dove Pond and experienced all the emotions of these characters and shared in the events that unfolded. I absolutely love when that happens.
I cannot recommend The Book Charmer enough and hope you will add it to your summer reading list. From the secondary characters to the towns comings and goings I felt like I was right there. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
Our story begins when we meet the seventh daughter of the Dove family, Sarah Dove. Legend has it that good things happen to the town of Dove Pond when the seventh daughter is born. Sarah is a bookworm, and not just any bookworm, for in her seventh year, the books speak to her. Not out loud, but they whisper to her and because of this she knows exactly what book each person in town needs and when they need it. The town desperately needs the miracle promised with the seventh daughter and the signs of its approach are appearing. Sarah just doesn’t know what she is supposed to do. I felt for Sarah; she feels the weight of her responsibility and doesn’t want to fail.
Grace Wheeler arrives in town with his deceased sister’s daughter and her aging mother who is suffering from dementia. She has accepted the town clerk job because it offers flexible hours and a home to go with it. For her it’s a temporary fix. I love when life or perhaps fate has other plans.
The tale that unfolds was wonderful and I lost myself in this small southern town. I laughed, cried and wanted to stay. I thought at first the book would focus mostly on Sarah, but it was truly Grace’s story and those within her circle. We get romance, address dementia, PTSD, acceptance, and see a family being built and taking root. Throughout the story Hawkins weaves magical realism and books….. wonderful books!
This is one of those stories that wrap you up in its warm magical embrace and transports you. For a spell I was a member of Dove Pond and experienced all the emotions of these characters and shared in the events that unfolded. I absolutely love when that happens.
I cannot recommend The Book Charmer enough and hope you will add it to your summer reading list. From the secondary characters to the towns comings and goings I felt like I was right there. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
September 7, 2019
It might be because we have been slowly rewatching Parks and Rec at our house, but this book ended up feeling like a combination of Gilmore Girls (small town culture only in NC mountains) and Parks and Rec (city planner saving the town with festivals and committees and more.) The book starts out focuses on a different character and feel than where it ends up because at the beginning it's all about this family that goes way back and the seventh daughters have magical abilities. The librarian is one of those and she gives books to people they don't know they need. By the end the focus is on a woman who has brought the woman who was her foster parent back to her hometown to care for her and her sister's child, and the neighbor nextdoor who is a returned soldier slash mechanic.
All in all there's a lot thrown in that I would have saved for subsequent novels to really focus on a single story or relationship at once. But maybe the author intended to introduce the town and its characters in this first novel. Living so close to many NC mountain towns, I enjoyed the story from that perspective.
I had a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley and it came out July 30, 2019.
All in all there's a lot thrown in that I would have saved for subsequent novels to really focus on a single story or relationship at once. But maybe the author intended to introduce the town and its characters in this first novel. Living so close to many NC mountain towns, I enjoyed the story from that perspective.
I had a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley and it came out July 30, 2019.
March 4, 2020
Friendship, Alzheimer’s and Saving Small Town America
The Book Charmer swept through the book community last year. Bloggers raved about this gem with the perfect combo of sleepy Southern town, independent women and a magical friendship. I was curious.
The Book Charmer starts with double prologues, one for two of the POV characters. This was quite surprising. As a writer myself I find that too much pre-setup distances the reader rather than endears us.
However, after reading about Sarah and Grace as children I was totally hooked. Sarah’s prologue reveals her magical connection to books. It made me excited to see the role the books would play when Sarah became an adult.
And Grace’s prologue had me crying! I totally felt for that angry child that so loves her beloved sister. I had a sister just like Hannah who was like a ray of sunshine to everyone who met her. They couldn’t see me. So Mama G taking the girls on due to Grace just made my heart melt.
Really I expected to love Grace as an adult. But I didn’t particularly like her. She was stubborn on all the wrong things. And wasn’t open to change. That’s why I ended up appreciating Sarah’s upbeat outlook. She helped me to have compassion for Grace. It made for a fabulous narrative that kept me reading without weighing me down with too much negativity.
As a genre I feel like I’m attracted to magical realism because of the promise of magic. It’s those details that delight the senses and makes life feel hopeful. To those ends I loved the light magical elements in The Book Charmer. They added promise to the story without being outrageous. These aren’t huge magical details but I like how they were used to reflect Grace’s future in Dove Pond. Particularly at the end, where we know the story isn’t finished, but we’d like some kind of concrete note to finish on.
I loved the idea that a founding family was bestowed with magical gifts. And that those gifts can be used in aide of saving that town. Ava does a lot through her herb business in being a cornerstone to keeping the town alive. While it isn’t enough to save the town outright I felt like it showed what promise the town had to be saved. Which was key to Grace’s plan for Dove Pond.
Sarah, on the other hand, was all about the biggest commodity in any small town, the people. She was never going to be able to save Dove Pond on her own. I really appreciated though how her gift of uniting books with the right readers played a huge part in rehabilitating Grace. And opened opportunities to other townspeople.
While I love the Dove family’s legacy, The Book Charmer was all about Grace. Grace is the one who grew through saving Dove Pond and she’s the one who was essential to stimulate the changes the town needed. I loved how her own gifts, developed for a much different career than town clerk, were used to do this.
But it’s with the festival committee where we see regular human gifts come together in a beautiful melding for the best cause. Without each member doing their own leg work Grace’s ideas wouldn’t have been achieved. I love the message that while magic is wonderful it’s love for your fellow man which changes things.
Mama G is a character I fell for right in the prologue. But it’s isn’t the strong foster mother that we get to read about. It’s the elderly mother and grandmother whose mind is failing her that we get to know. And it’s as heart breaking for us as it is for Grace.
We can imagine the kind of influence she was for the adult Grace to be so driven and single-minded in her career. Thus to witness how she’s fading is only offset by seeing how good it is for her to return to her hometown and the friends she’d left behind. I liked the positivity in doing what’s best for her even if it meant Grace taking a lesser job.
There were many reasons Grace’s needed to settle in Dove Pond. The pleasure is seeing them all flower and bear fruit. Mama G’s disease and saving the town were just two of the most important reasons.
The relationships in The Book Charmer totally make the entire story worth reading. And I can’t think of one that I could do without. Even the lazy, self centered mayor was important to who Grace becomes. (And boy was it fun how everyone had a crack at tricking him.)
I did think that Travis would be woven through the story a little better when it comes to his relationship with Grace. I loved reading his POV and thought it added depth to what could have been a really shallow love interest. But we don’t get a lot of interaction with Grace until nearer the end. This made the romance a lot lighter than I expected. And left lots of room for friendship moments, which could be a win or a lose depending which way you’d prefer.
The relationships that spoke to me were definitely between Grace and Mama G and Grace and Daisy. The multiple generations going on were quite powerful. I also really loved Linda, Mama G’s caretaker, and how she worked with Grace. I also really loved how the festival committee worked together. While there were also men on the committee I felt like the women empowerment was strong.
So what I’m saying is The Book Charmer totally charmed this Fangirl. I fell in love with Sarah, Grace and Trav through their POV chapters and at the same time fell for Dove Pond too. I wanted the festival committee to succeed in their mission as much as I wanted Mama G and Daisy to find a rhythm in their new family dynamic. You too will find yourself enchanted by this female driven tale of small towns and big hearts.
The Book Charmer swept through the book community last year. Bloggers raved about this gem with the perfect combo of sleepy Southern town, independent women and a magical friendship. I was curious.
The Book Charmer starts with double prologues, one for two of the POV characters. This was quite surprising. As a writer myself I find that too much pre-setup distances the reader rather than endears us.
However, after reading about Sarah and Grace as children I was totally hooked. Sarah’s prologue reveals her magical connection to books. It made me excited to see the role the books would play when Sarah became an adult.
And Grace’s prologue had me crying! I totally felt for that angry child that so loves her beloved sister. I had a sister just like Hannah who was like a ray of sunshine to everyone who met her. They couldn’t see me. So Mama G taking the girls on due to Grace just made my heart melt.
Really I expected to love Grace as an adult. But I didn’t particularly like her. She was stubborn on all the wrong things. And wasn’t open to change. That’s why I ended up appreciating Sarah’s upbeat outlook. She helped me to have compassion for Grace. It made for a fabulous narrative that kept me reading without weighing me down with too much negativity.
As a genre I feel like I’m attracted to magical realism because of the promise of magic. It’s those details that delight the senses and makes life feel hopeful. To those ends I loved the light magical elements in The Book Charmer. They added promise to the story without being outrageous. These aren’t huge magical details but I like how they were used to reflect Grace’s future in Dove Pond. Particularly at the end, where we know the story isn’t finished, but we’d like some kind of concrete note to finish on.
I loved the idea that a founding family was bestowed with magical gifts. And that those gifts can be used in aide of saving that town. Ava does a lot through her herb business in being a cornerstone to keeping the town alive. While it isn’t enough to save the town outright I felt like it showed what promise the town had to be saved. Which was key to Grace’s plan for Dove Pond.
Sarah, on the other hand, was all about the biggest commodity in any small town, the people. She was never going to be able to save Dove Pond on her own. I really appreciated though how her gift of uniting books with the right readers played a huge part in rehabilitating Grace. And opened opportunities to other townspeople.
While I love the Dove family’s legacy, The Book Charmer was all about Grace. Grace is the one who grew through saving Dove Pond and she’s the one who was essential to stimulate the changes the town needed. I loved how her own gifts, developed for a much different career than town clerk, were used to do this.
But it’s with the festival committee where we see regular human gifts come together in a beautiful melding for the best cause. Without each member doing their own leg work Grace’s ideas wouldn’t have been achieved. I love the message that while magic is wonderful it’s love for your fellow man which changes things.
Mama G is a character I fell for right in the prologue. But it’s isn’t the strong foster mother that we get to read about. It’s the elderly mother and grandmother whose mind is failing her that we get to know. And it’s as heart breaking for us as it is for Grace.
We can imagine the kind of influence she was for the adult Grace to be so driven and single-minded in her career. Thus to witness how she’s fading is only offset by seeing how good it is for her to return to her hometown and the friends she’d left behind. I liked the positivity in doing what’s best for her even if it meant Grace taking a lesser job.
There were many reasons Grace’s needed to settle in Dove Pond. The pleasure is seeing them all flower and bear fruit. Mama G’s disease and saving the town were just two of the most important reasons.
The relationships in The Book Charmer totally make the entire story worth reading. And I can’t think of one that I could do without. Even the lazy, self centered mayor was important to who Grace becomes. (And boy was it fun how everyone had a crack at tricking him.)
I did think that Travis would be woven through the story a little better when it comes to his relationship with Grace. I loved reading his POV and thought it added depth to what could have been a really shallow love interest. But we don’t get a lot of interaction with Grace until nearer the end. This made the romance a lot lighter than I expected. And left lots of room for friendship moments, which could be a win or a lose depending which way you’d prefer.
The relationships that spoke to me were definitely between Grace and Mama G and Grace and Daisy. The multiple generations going on were quite powerful. I also really loved Linda, Mama G’s caretaker, and how she worked with Grace. I also really loved how the festival committee worked together. While there were also men on the committee I felt like the women empowerment was strong.
So what I’m saying is The Book Charmer totally charmed this Fangirl. I fell in love with Sarah, Grace and Trav through their POV chapters and at the same time fell for Dove Pond too. I wanted the festival committee to succeed in their mission as much as I wanted Mama G and Daisy to find a rhythm in their new family dynamic. You too will find yourself enchanted by this female driven tale of small towns and big hearts.
June 10, 2023
4 Stars for The Book Charmer: Dove Pond, Book 2 (audiobook) by Karen Hawkins read by Tavia Gilbert, Amanda Ronconi, and Sebastian York.
This is a fun small town romance with a little bit of magic thrown in. I’m really looking forward to the next book in the series.
This is a fun small town romance with a little bit of magic thrown in. I’m really looking forward to the next book in the series.
August 15, 2019
The Dove sisters have always seemed magical, so it’s no real surprise when books begin conversing with Sarah Dove. As the town librarian for Dove Pond, it’s a handy skill— the books tell her exactly what every reader needs. And when the books begin rumbling about the arrival of a new resident, Grace Wheeler, Sarah knows a savior has finally come to break Dove Pond’s string of bad luck. But Grace has no intentions of becoming an active denizen— she’s just there for a year to take care of her sick mother and niece before heading back to the hustle and bustle of her life in Charlotte. However, with a few overzealous neighbors and a bit of magic, it just might be too hard to resist the charm and the challenge of saving the town.
Often books that rotate viewpoints for each chapter suffer from having one character that’s more interesting than the other. Fortunately, author Karen Hawkins has peppered The Book Charmer with such compelling, quirky characters that each unique switch is more than welcome. Dove Pond is intended as an attractive small town with a hint of magic in the air and, because of its locals, it more than succeeds.
Hawkins has carefully crafted the relationships between each of these citizens, balancing expertly between the sweet and the dramatic. They’re fully realized, complicated individuals that somehow fit together in a way that can only happen in a tight community. Somehow even simple scenes about town meetings are riveting because of an amusing, eccentric cast navigating through small town politics and development.
Through it all, Sarah struggles with her power, looking for signs in her books, and grasping to hold her crumbling town together. But though Sarah might earn a place in the title and push the action behind the scenes, Grace is the glue binding the book together. Overwhelmed after the death of her sister, she moves her adopted mother, Mama G, and niece, Daisy, to Dove Pond is order to slow things down and aid Mama G, who has Alzheimer’s. Her opening chapters are heartbreaking, but Hawkins delivers beautiful hope as Grace settles into a life she never thought she wanted.
There aren’t too many towns as charming as Dove Pond. Visit for the bewitching characters, but stay for their magical stories.
Note: I received a free ARC of this book through NetGalley.
Often books that rotate viewpoints for each chapter suffer from having one character that’s more interesting than the other. Fortunately, author Karen Hawkins has peppered The Book Charmer with such compelling, quirky characters that each unique switch is more than welcome. Dove Pond is intended as an attractive small town with a hint of magic in the air and, because of its locals, it more than succeeds.
Hawkins has carefully crafted the relationships between each of these citizens, balancing expertly between the sweet and the dramatic. They’re fully realized, complicated individuals that somehow fit together in a way that can only happen in a tight community. Somehow even simple scenes about town meetings are riveting because of an amusing, eccentric cast navigating through small town politics and development.
Through it all, Sarah struggles with her power, looking for signs in her books, and grasping to hold her crumbling town together. But though Sarah might earn a place in the title and push the action behind the scenes, Grace is the glue binding the book together. Overwhelmed after the death of her sister, she moves her adopted mother, Mama G, and niece, Daisy, to Dove Pond is order to slow things down and aid Mama G, who has Alzheimer’s. Her opening chapters are heartbreaking, but Hawkins delivers beautiful hope as Grace settles into a life she never thought she wanted.
There aren’t too many towns as charming as Dove Pond. Visit for the bewitching characters, but stay for their magical stories.
Note: I received a free ARC of this book through NetGalley.
October 11, 2019
Sarah Dove has a gift for giving a person the right book which will be exactly what they need. Grace Wheeler is new to Dove Pond. However, she has ties there through her ailing foster mother, who she has returned with along with her niece, who is also struggling with the death of her mother.
Grace, as we come to see, will be the savior of this town, prodded by Sarah who has been "listening" to the whispers of her books that someone is coming to help and revive Dove Pond its previous glory. I would love to have a librarian like Sarah, who, incidentally has sisters that are just as gifted in other areas. This is a charming book that touches on the ravaging disease and toll that Alzheimer's takes on the person who suffers from it and the loved ones trying to provide care. There are love stories as Grace falls for Travis, a veteran suffering from PTSD.
I really enjoyed this book as it drew me in and I did not want to put it down. I felt that this would be the start of a series. I certainly hope so as I would love to return to Dove Pond.
Grace, as we come to see, will be the savior of this town, prodded by Sarah who has been "listening" to the whispers of her books that someone is coming to help and revive Dove Pond its previous glory. I would love to have a librarian like Sarah, who, incidentally has sisters that are just as gifted in other areas. This is a charming book that touches on the ravaging disease and toll that Alzheimer's takes on the person who suffers from it and the loved ones trying to provide care. There are love stories as Grace falls for Travis, a veteran suffering from PTSD.
I really enjoyed this book as it drew me in and I did not want to put it down. I felt that this would be the start of a series. I certainly hope so as I would love to return to Dove Pond.
August 12, 2025
This is one of those stories that wrap you up in its warm magical embrace and transports you.
For a spell I was a member of Dove Pond and experienced all the emotions of these characters and shared in the events that unfolded.
I absolutely love when that happens. I hope I am invited to this town again.
For a spell I was a member of Dove Pond and experienced all the emotions of these characters and shared in the events that unfolded.
I absolutely love when that happens. I hope I am invited to this town again.
July 31, 2019
*4.5 stars rounded up! A lovely story about the residents of a small NC town named Dove Pond, which is struggling to survive in these modern times. Among the townspeople is Sarah Dove, who is the last of seven sisters which is considered to be a lucky sign. Can she save the town? She is the librarian but everyone knows she is also a book charmer. What is that, you ask? Books speak to her so she knows which book a person needs, although maybe not just WHY they need it!
To this town comes Grace Wheeler with her elderly foster mother, Mama G, and her orphaned niece, Daisy. Mama G is suffering from Alzheimers and Grace hopes that returning to Dove Pond where she once lived will help the woman retain her memories.
Grace takes a job as town clerk but is determined to move back to Charlotte in a year and resume her professional life. The books are telling Sarah that Grace can save their town but she must somehow be talked into staying there...forever!
The characters of this town are charming and delightful! I only wish that people everywhere were this helpful and welcoming. I am reminded a bit of Jan Karon's Mitford series with a little magical realism thrown in!
I admit to being attracted to almost any novel with the word 'book' in the title. This month alone I've read two other such books: The Bookish Life of Nina Hill and The Last Book Party. I've enjoyed them all!
I received an arc of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks for the opportunity to meet the people of Dove Pond!
To this town comes Grace Wheeler with her elderly foster mother, Mama G, and her orphaned niece, Daisy. Mama G is suffering from Alzheimers and Grace hopes that returning to Dove Pond where she once lived will help the woman retain her memories.
Grace takes a job as town clerk but is determined to move back to Charlotte in a year and resume her professional life. The books are telling Sarah that Grace can save their town but she must somehow be talked into staying there...forever!
The characters of this town are charming and delightful! I only wish that people everywhere were this helpful and welcoming. I am reminded a bit of Jan Karon's Mitford series with a little magical realism thrown in!
I admit to being attracted to almost any novel with the word 'book' in the title. This month alone I've read two other such books: The Bookish Life of Nina Hill and The Last Book Party. I've enjoyed them all!
I received an arc of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks for the opportunity to meet the people of Dove Pond!
March 1, 2020
2.5 STARS - I'm a sucker for a gorgeous cover and a story that has a library in it so The Book Charmer clearly fit the bill. Based on the blurb I was expecting a magical realism-type read with a strong Sarah Addison Allen vibe. But what I got was a very light, contemporary fiction story that needed a lot more oomph and direction to its plot and depth to its characters.
On the outside, this book ticks all the boxes: big issues (Alzheimer's PTSD, loss, foster care ...), a big cast of characters and a sweet, hometown feel. I give credit with how sensitively Alzheimer's is handled but overall, the issues are merely skimmed over leaving readers with a plot where not much actually happens. Most of the page time is spent 'telling instead of showing' with a lot of time wasted on tedious dialogue that didn't benefit the plot or character development.
The characters were a sweet bunch but thinly developed - from the Khal Drogo-esque tough guy next door who has a heart of gold underneath his muscles and tattoos to uptight Grace who is an overworked ice queen to sweet Mama G and finally to Sarah, the town librarian whose mystical ability should be the heart of the story. But, surprisingly, it's not. It is incidental to the plot and is never quite explained to the reader. Misleading and a little frustrating for this reader.
This is a good pick if you want a very light story with a strong Hallmark movie of the week vibe about saving a withering town. It's a story you can pick up and put down easily without getting lost in the plot or remembering who's who. But if you're looking for a book that gives you something to think about and characters you can connect with, this may not be the book you're looking for.
On the outside, this book ticks all the boxes: big issues (Alzheimer's PTSD, loss, foster care ...), a big cast of characters and a sweet, hometown feel. I give credit with how sensitively Alzheimer's is handled but overall, the issues are merely skimmed over leaving readers with a plot where not much actually happens. Most of the page time is spent 'telling instead of showing' with a lot of time wasted on tedious dialogue that didn't benefit the plot or character development.
The characters were a sweet bunch but thinly developed - from the Khal Drogo-esque tough guy next door who has a heart of gold underneath his muscles and tattoos to uptight Grace who is an overworked ice queen to sweet Mama G and finally to Sarah, the town librarian whose mystical ability should be the heart of the story. But, surprisingly, it's not. It is incidental to the plot and is never quite explained to the reader. Misleading and a little frustrating for this reader.
This is a good pick if you want a very light story with a strong Hallmark movie of the week vibe about saving a withering town. It's a story you can pick up and put down easily without getting lost in the plot or remembering who's who. But if you're looking for a book that gives you something to think about and characters you can connect with, this may not be the book you're looking for.
August 2, 2019
I adored this book! So charming indeed! RTC!
November 28, 2019
Well I've done it again. I picked up a book solely on the expectation that it was a book whose plot would revolve around books. Again, I was wrong. Books do play a part in this story but it is a relatively minor part. I can't say that I was deceived. I'm just an easy mark for any book with "book" in the title. I guess when it comes to my fictional book selections I'm a bit careless but, nevertheless, I am giving this book 3.5 stars. It's a good book and worth reading but it's not great. It's definitely a feel good read and definitely aimed at ladies and their book clubs as there is a list of book club discussion points at the end. Of course this is all very subjective and reader tastes will vary. Some will hate this book and others will rave and many will fall between these extremes. I guess I am in the middle having enjoyed the story and the characters and the novel, though minor, use of books. That being said what is the book about?
This book tells a story about people and a town and their injuries. It also tells us about how those injuries are cured and how much time that takes and the help needed to achieve the necessary cure. It's about 2 little girls with tough childhoods one that grows to adulthood with the unhealed scars of her youth and the other, her niece, carrying fresh hurts of abandonment and the loss of her mother. It is the story of a loving aged foster mother suffering the loss of herself through Alzheimers. Then there is the story of a man suffering from the wounds of war and they all live in a small town in Western North Carolina that is dying from financial mismanagement and time. Sounds like a real downer doesn't it? Don't despair as there is magic in this town in the person of the Dove sisters. The Dove family founded the town in the very early 18th century and the daughters of this family are "special". In another century in a different state in New England they probably would have been identified as witches but not in this state and in this story. The Dove sisters each possess a special power or gift and the sister that is central to this book is Sarah, the town librarian. Sarah is the Book Charmer whose books speak to her and tell her who needs what is contained in their pages without telling her why. Sarah then delivers the book to the person the book requires and the people of the town have learned not to refuse any of Sarah's books because Sarah's selections always turnout to be necessary and useful.
The story will tug at your heart strings and can be faulted for being somewhat predictable but the story is entertaining and strikes all the right keys. The ending will not disappoint and it leaves enough room for a sequel should the author wish to write one and I am sure some readers will be more than pleased if she does. I enjoyed the book as a pleasant change of pace read and hope you like it as well.
This book tells a story about people and a town and their injuries. It also tells us about how those injuries are cured and how much time that takes and the help needed to achieve the necessary cure. It's about 2 little girls with tough childhoods one that grows to adulthood with the unhealed scars of her youth and the other, her niece, carrying fresh hurts of abandonment and the loss of her mother. It is the story of a loving aged foster mother suffering the loss of herself through Alzheimers. Then there is the story of a man suffering from the wounds of war and they all live in a small town in Western North Carolina that is dying from financial mismanagement and time. Sounds like a real downer doesn't it? Don't despair as there is magic in this town in the person of the Dove sisters. The Dove family founded the town in the very early 18th century and the daughters of this family are "special". In another century in a different state in New England they probably would have been identified as witches but not in this state and in this story. The Dove sisters each possess a special power or gift and the sister that is central to this book is Sarah, the town librarian. Sarah is the Book Charmer whose books speak to her and tell her who needs what is contained in their pages without telling her why. Sarah then delivers the book to the person the book requires and the people of the town have learned not to refuse any of Sarah's books because Sarah's selections always turnout to be necessary and useful.
The story will tug at your heart strings and can be faulted for being somewhat predictable but the story is entertaining and strikes all the right keys. The ending will not disappoint and it leaves enough room for a sequel should the author wish to write one and I am sure some readers will be more than pleased if she does. I enjoyed the book as a pleasant change of pace read and hope you like it as well.
February 20, 2020
Wow. This was so good. I am so happy that Hawkins has turned this into a series because I fell in love with all of the residents of Dove Pond, especially Sarah Dove.
The book starts off being about her and then we switch gears to follow a new resident of Dove Pond, Grace Wheeler and her family. We don't know what it is about Grace, but apparently one of the books that talks to Sarah Dove tells her that Grace is going to be important to Dove Pond and needs to stay forever. Too bad that Grace has plans to move back to Asheville, North Carolina, when she finishes her year stint working for the mayor's office.
I hope the next book gets more into Sarah and what causes her to run away from the local sheriff. We hear bits and pieces here and there, but I want more. I loved how Sarah is happy and is able to talk to books. That she always knows the book that has to go to people in town. Her sister Ava can grow anything and seems to have an affinity for gardens. It seems all of the Doves have special abilities that I can't wait to read more about.
Grace though had the opposite growing up that Sarah did though. Grace and her sister Hannah were raised in the foster care system until they finally gotten taken in by a woman called Mama G. What is weird though is that Mama G is able to sense something about children and even adults and realizes that there is something about Hannah, but she's going to take them both in. We fast forward to present times and Grace is moving to Dove Pond with Mama G and her sister's child. Grace has a lot of anger built up in her that she thought she put behind her, but now it's front and center again. All she wants to do is put her time in for a year and get out of Dove Pond. Too bad that Sarah is focused on making her, her friend and having her stay.
I thought the other characters like Trav, Ava, Blake, (I am forgetting scores) gave this book so much heart. I loved Trav's backstory and how it tied neatly into something that Grace was going through too.
The setting of Dove Pond sounds magical. A small southern town that is in danger of becoming a ghost town soon if something doesn't help pull things around. I loved that everyone knew each other's names and stories and no one thought they were odd. I loved the fact that the mayor was super useless and only wanted the position so he could go fishing.
The flow worked nicely going back and forth between Sarah, Grace, and Trav. I think though next time it should just be two people instead of three. Not that it didn't work here, but I found myself wanting to get back to Sarah's sections more and then I wanted to be back in Grace's more and then wanting to get back to Trav. Too much was happening (in a good way).
The ending was lovely though a bit abrupt. I think it could have been a bit smoother. Other than that, what a wonderful book!
The book starts off being about her and then we switch gears to follow a new resident of Dove Pond, Grace Wheeler and her family. We don't know what it is about Grace, but apparently one of the books that talks to Sarah Dove tells her that Grace is going to be important to Dove Pond and needs to stay forever. Too bad that Grace has plans to move back to Asheville, North Carolina, when she finishes her year stint working for the mayor's office.
I hope the next book gets more into Sarah and what causes her to run away from the local sheriff. We hear bits and pieces here and there, but I want more. I loved how Sarah is happy and is able to talk to books. That she always knows the book that has to go to people in town. Her sister Ava can grow anything and seems to have an affinity for gardens. It seems all of the Doves have special abilities that I can't wait to read more about.
Grace though had the opposite growing up that Sarah did though. Grace and her sister Hannah were raised in the foster care system until they finally gotten taken in by a woman called Mama G. What is weird though is that Mama G is able to sense something about children and even adults and realizes that there is something about Hannah, but she's going to take them both in. We fast forward to present times and Grace is moving to Dove Pond with Mama G and her sister's child. Grace has a lot of anger built up in her that she thought she put behind her, but now it's front and center again. All she wants to do is put her time in for a year and get out of Dove Pond. Too bad that Sarah is focused on making her, her friend and having her stay.
I thought the other characters like Trav, Ava, Blake, (I am forgetting scores) gave this book so much heart. I loved Trav's backstory and how it tied neatly into something that Grace was going through too.
The setting of Dove Pond sounds magical. A small southern town that is in danger of becoming a ghost town soon if something doesn't help pull things around. I loved that everyone knew each other's names and stories and no one thought they were odd. I loved the fact that the mayor was super useless and only wanted the position so he could go fishing.
The flow worked nicely going back and forth between Sarah, Grace, and Trav. I think though next time it should just be two people instead of three. Not that it didn't work here, but I found myself wanting to get back to Sarah's sections more and then I wanted to be back in Grace's more and then wanting to get back to Trav. Too much was happening (in a good way).
The ending was lovely though a bit abrupt. I think it could have been a bit smoother. Other than that, what a wonderful book!
March 15, 2020
I won The Book Charmer by Karen Hawkins last year on a Goodreads Giveaway. The book came out last July and sadly, I just got around to reading it. My TBR pile is no joke. This charming little story is the first book in the Dove Pond Series. Grace and her sister, Hannah are foster children. Grace has made it difficult to stay in a home. When they are placed in Mama G’s care everything changes. Years later, Grace, Mama G, and Hannah’s daughter Daisy arrive at their temporary home in Dove Pond. Hannah fell into trouble and died, leaving her daughter in the care of Mama G. However, Mama G has the beginnings of Alzheimer’s. So Grace brings them to wear Mama G grew up and takes a meager job to get by, but for only a year. Little does she know the Dove Pond is full of surprising characters. One being Sarah Dove, the town librarian. She has a gift, one where the books speak to her and she knows just which book goes to a certain person. Sarah believes that Grace will be the one who saves their small town from financial ruin. How can she convince Grace to stay?
This is such a charming little book. It was a tad slow at that the start, but I was soon hooked. I just discovered that there is a prequel which I plan to pick up. When I first picked up the book, I expected there to be more of a fantasy aspect to it. However, it is more magical realism than fantasy. While I did love the story, Sarah, The Book Charmer, is actually not a huge part of the book. Yes, she has a gift, but the book no way revolves around her. Grace is the star of the story. I absolutely adored her character. She doubts herself but holds her head high and with the courage to face each day. She comes to the town judging everyone because it is different, unfamiliar, and ultimately…temporary. She finds out what the words, “it takes a village” truly mean. She also discovers friendship and love.
I must say, all the characters are wonderful. I don’t think there was one character who didn’t make me smile while reading. I really love the relationships between the characters too. Especially, Grace and Trav. Trav is trying to rediscover life after being injured at War and dealing with PTSD. Then there is also Blake and Sarah, however, their relationship is introduced but not really concluded. In fact, there are a few details that never really feel concluded. I hope they pick back up in the next book-which (according to Goodreads) is releasing in May 2020! Don’t let my rating deter you. There are just a few things that I think could have been fixed. I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars.
This is such a charming little book. It was a tad slow at that the start, but I was soon hooked. I just discovered that there is a prequel which I plan to pick up. When I first picked up the book, I expected there to be more of a fantasy aspect to it. However, it is more magical realism than fantasy. While I did love the story, Sarah, The Book Charmer, is actually not a huge part of the book. Yes, she has a gift, but the book no way revolves around her. Grace is the star of the story. I absolutely adored her character. She doubts herself but holds her head high and with the courage to face each day. She comes to the town judging everyone because it is different, unfamiliar, and ultimately…temporary. She finds out what the words, “it takes a village” truly mean. She also discovers friendship and love.
I must say, all the characters are wonderful. I don’t think there was one character who didn’t make me smile while reading. I really love the relationships between the characters too. Especially, Grace and Trav. Trav is trying to rediscover life after being injured at War and dealing with PTSD. Then there is also Blake and Sarah, however, their relationship is introduced but not really concluded. In fact, there are a few details that never really feel concluded. I hope they pick back up in the next book-which (according to Goodreads) is releasing in May 2020! Don’t let my rating deter you. There are just a few things that I think could have been fixed. I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars.
September 8, 2021
Loved this mix of magical realism, sweet romance and women's fiction. All set in a small Southern town.
July 26, 2023
2,5 ✨✨✨
(Audiobook)
The Book Charmer took a secondary role in this book and I came for her. Overall, it gives Hallmark vibes galore.
(Audiobook)
The Book Charmer took a secondary role in this book and I came for her. Overall, it gives Hallmark vibes galore.
Read
May 10, 2019A cozy small town book with a hint of magic, this was a lovely spring read (and will be an equally lovely summer read).
Though titled The Book Charmer, Sarah, the librarian with whom books speaks is not really the main character. She's important to the story, but she takes second seat to Grace, who has the main story arc.
It begins with both girls when young, setting their background, then shifts to the present day when go-getter Grace, who has never had a friend, finds herself the guardian not only of her sister's abandoned child, but the foster mom who finally gave her a sense of stability. Only her beloved Mama G is sinking slowly into the twilight world of dementia.
This was a tad on the nose for me (currently dealing with two elders with dementia) but for the most part the handling was sensitively done.
The characters are well drawn, especially the older women. Hawkins is especially good with giving these women agency, even Mama G in her lucid moments.
Grace is quite well done, and though Sarah's story is left for future volumes, Grace's comes to a satisfying resolution, leaving the reader wanting to know more about the town and its serious dilemma, and the other characters.
Copy courtesy of NetGalley
Though titled The Book Charmer, Sarah, the librarian with whom books speaks is not really the main character. She's important to the story, but she takes second seat to Grace, who has the main story arc.
It begins with both girls when young, setting their background, then shifts to the present day when go-getter Grace, who has never had a friend, finds herself the guardian not only of her sister's abandoned child, but the foster mom who finally gave her a sense of stability. Only her beloved Mama G is sinking slowly into the twilight world of dementia.
This was a tad on the nose for me (currently dealing with two elders with dementia) but for the most part the handling was sensitively done.
The characters are well drawn, especially the older women. Hawkins is especially good with giving these women agency, even Mama G in her lucid moments.
Grace is quite well done, and though Sarah's story is left for future volumes, Grace's comes to a satisfying resolution, leaving the reader wanting to know more about the town and its serious dilemma, and the other characters.
Copy courtesy of NetGalley
June 17, 2019
I will miss Dove Pond and all of my new friends terribly.
This book has all of my favorite things:
magic, books, a small town, romance, friendship, family drama, sisters, women in leadership positions, cats, and books —- wait, did I say that twice? The blurb on this book mentions Sarah Addison Allen and Practical Magic, and that’s spot on. The dialogue is so believable, it feels like eavesdropping.
This poet, gooey warm cookie of a book had better have a sequel.
This book has all of my favorite things:
magic, books, a small town, romance, friendship, family drama, sisters, women in leadership positions, cats, and books —- wait, did I say that twice? The blurb on this book mentions Sarah Addison Allen and Practical Magic, and that’s spot on. The dialogue is so believable, it feels like eavesdropping.
This poet, gooey warm cookie of a book had better have a sequel.
September 5, 2024
Ever since Sarah was seven years old, she's been able to hear books talk, so it's fitting that she works as a librarian in the small town of Dove Pond, North Carolina where she grew up.
"Sarah Dove is a book charmer... she knows what book everyone should have."
Lately, however, the books have been talking about newcomer Grace. Why are the books so interested in Grace, you ask, and what else do they have to say? Read this charming novel to find out!
This magical story cast a spell on me from the very first pages and didn't let go. I couldn't wait to find out more about the residents of the small town, many of whom have magical abilities, and it makes my heart so happy that this is the first in an all new series. In fact, I loved it so much that I read Love in the Afternoon (4 stars, and I hardly ever give more than 3 stars to a novella), #.5 in the series, immediately following this one. And, hello, there are also Game of Throne references!
If you loved this one as much as I did, then I would highly recommend Midnight at the Blackbird Café (5 stars) by Heather Webber!
Lastly, here are some more quotes I loved:
"It's sad, but life is not fair. I sometimes think it was never supposed to be. Life is made up of moments, good and bad. But while you don't get to pick all the moments, you do get to pick which ones you cling to."
"That's the beauty of a book. It can take you places you can't visit on your own, lets you meet people and see things you can't in real life."
"Love can't cure a broken heart, but it can hold the two sides together while they heal."
Location: Dove Pond, North Carolina
I received an advance copy from BookishFirst. All opinions are my own.
"Sarah Dove is a book charmer... she knows what book everyone should have."
Lately, however, the books have been talking about newcomer Grace. Why are the books so interested in Grace, you ask, and what else do they have to say? Read this charming novel to find out!
This magical story cast a spell on me from the very first pages and didn't let go. I couldn't wait to find out more about the residents of the small town, many of whom have magical abilities, and it makes my heart so happy that this is the first in an all new series. In fact, I loved it so much that I read Love in the Afternoon (4 stars, and I hardly ever give more than 3 stars to a novella), #.5 in the series, immediately following this one. And, hello, there are also Game of Throne references!
If you loved this one as much as I did, then I would highly recommend Midnight at the Blackbird Café (5 stars) by Heather Webber!
Lastly, here are some more quotes I loved:
"It's sad, but life is not fair. I sometimes think it was never supposed to be. Life is made up of moments, good and bad. But while you don't get to pick all the moments, you do get to pick which ones you cling to."
"That's the beauty of a book. It can take you places you can't visit on your own, lets you meet people and see things you can't in real life."
"Love can't cure a broken heart, but it can hold the two sides together while they heal."
Location: Dove Pond, North Carolina
I received an advance copy from BookishFirst. All opinions are my own.
August 5, 2019
I had high hopes that maybe this would finally be the author and the book that would fill that Sarah Addison Allen hole in my reading life. Alas, it was not to be. Great concept, just not enough sweet wisps of magic to satisfy my needs.
The title is "The Book Charmer" and the book charmer is Sarah Dove, who's the seventh sister in her magically-inclined family and destined to save the beloved town of Dove Pond. You'd think, then, that this story would be about Sarah and her sisters. Instead, Sarah is around, but not the main character. Instead it's mainly about Grace, a newcomer, and her job and family trials and love life. Which is fine - it's just odd that the first book in this series doesn't actually delve deeper into the hows and whys of the book charmer herself.
As someone who has always loved books deeply, the idea that someone can hear the books talking is one worth exploring. In fact, the few times that we were able to hear what the books were saying to Sarah were some of the best lines in the story.
Also, I have to quibble that Sarah was appointed librarian without a degree in library science. I don't think that a degree in poetry would cut it, no matter how few applicants there were for the job. I get tired of this trope that anyone can be a librarian, because there's nothing hard about it, right? All you do is sit around and read books all day./s
Praise for the Alzheimer details in the story. I could relate and sympathize with all of that.
The title is "The Book Charmer" and the book charmer is Sarah Dove, who's the seventh sister in her magically-inclined family and destined to save the beloved town of Dove Pond. You'd think, then, that this story would be about Sarah and her sisters. Instead, Sarah is around, but not the main character. Instead it's mainly about Grace, a newcomer, and her job and family trials and love life. Which is fine - it's just odd that the first book in this series doesn't actually delve deeper into the hows and whys of the book charmer herself.
As someone who has always loved books deeply, the idea that someone can hear the books talking is one worth exploring. In fact, the few times that we were able to hear what the books were saying to Sarah were some of the best lines in the story.
Also, I have to quibble that Sarah was appointed librarian without a degree in library science. I don't think that a degree in poetry would cut it, no matter how few applicants there were for the job. I get tired of this trope that anyone can be a librarian, because there's nothing hard about it, right? All you do is sit around and read books all day./s
Praise for the Alzheimer details in the story. I could relate and sympathize with all of that.
August 27, 2019
This is a very sweet book. Not a gigantic amount of depth and not quite as far reaching emotionally and magically as a Sarah Addison Allen book, but it was still totally worth reading and had so much to say about family.
Grace is a headstrong character and was a bit prickly to me at first. It was understandable after everything she had gone through. Her pre-judgment of Trav was annoying to me, but the reader gets more of an insight into what makes him tick and the demons that he deals with, so it does make sense that I would have more sympathy for him than she did.
What I loved about this book is what I mentioned above. It really focuses on the meaning of family. Whether it's a blood relation or someone that you have come to know for other reasons, a family is made up of those who stick with you and those you can trust and count on. I got very teary when Grace and Daisy finally talked to each other, because they were creating a stronger family bond that way.
I look forward to seeing how the author continues this series, hopefully she will focus on different members of the Dove family and their gifts.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
Grace is a headstrong character and was a bit prickly to me at first. It was understandable after everything she had gone through. Her pre-judgment of Trav was annoying to me, but the reader gets more of an insight into what makes him tick and the demons that he deals with, so it does make sense that I would have more sympathy for him than she did.
What I loved about this book is what I mentioned above. It really focuses on the meaning of family. Whether it's a blood relation or someone that you have come to know for other reasons, a family is made up of those who stick with you and those you can trust and count on. I got very teary when Grace and Daisy finally talked to each other, because they were creating a stronger family bond that way.
I look forward to seeing how the author continues this series, hopefully she will focus on different members of the Dove family and their gifts.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
July 8, 2019
There is warmhearted magic in the small town of Dove Pond and it is all because of the Dove family. The current custodian of the town is librarian Sarah Dove, who lets books talk to her, tell her who needs them and what she should do, cryptically, of course. Who know what will happen when Sarah follows their orders, but it is always for the good of the town and especially the people who live there.
Lately the books have talked about a stranger coming to town, Grace Wheeler, who has her hands full with her orphaned niece and elderly mother who suffers from worsening dementia. For Grace, Dove Pond is just a temporary stopover, a place to re-group and get her bearings, but the books say otherwise…and Sarah knows the books are never wrong.
THE BOOK CHARMER by Karen Hawkins is a delightfully charming and quirky tale of finding inner peace, a place to grow roots and learning to stop and smell the roses. Fun, heartwarming, heartbreaking and sweetly romantic, this read will fit into your beach bag perfectly as the unusual citizens of Dove Pond worm their way into Grace’s heart, as well as any reader who wants a little sunshine in their lives!
I received a complimentary ARC edition from Gallery Books!
Series: Dove Pond - Book 1
Publisher: Gallery Books (July 30, 2019)
Publication Date: July 30, 2019
Genre: Contemporary Romantic Comedy/Fantasy
Print Length: 368 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Lately the books have talked about a stranger coming to town, Grace Wheeler, who has her hands full with her orphaned niece and elderly mother who suffers from worsening dementia. For Grace, Dove Pond is just a temporary stopover, a place to re-group and get her bearings, but the books say otherwise…and Sarah knows the books are never wrong.
THE BOOK CHARMER by Karen Hawkins is a delightfully charming and quirky tale of finding inner peace, a place to grow roots and learning to stop and smell the roses. Fun, heartwarming, heartbreaking and sweetly romantic, this read will fit into your beach bag perfectly as the unusual citizens of Dove Pond worm their way into Grace’s heart, as well as any reader who wants a little sunshine in their lives!
I received a complimentary ARC edition from Gallery Books!
Series: Dove Pond - Book 1
Publisher: Gallery Books (July 30, 2019)
Publication Date: July 30, 2019
Genre: Contemporary Romantic Comedy/Fantasy
Print Length: 368 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,315 reviews