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Mystical Midlife in Maine #1
Magical Makeover
Divorce comes as a relief when you discover your husband is a walking cliche and having an affair with a woman half your age. When life gives you lemons... give yourself a magical makeover!
One day I'm married, living in the triangle, and working as a head nurse at one of the country's best hospitals.
The next, I've shed a hundred and seventy-five pounds of idiot and find myself encountering ghosts, dragons and pixies while taking care of a sick patient.
Losing my sanity didn't seem like the worst thing to happen since I moved back home with my mom and nana.
But I have to make the best of this mess for the sake of my children. And I refuse to give my ex the satisfaction of knowing he literally drove me crazy.
I didn't mind rolling with the punches... I just never imagined those hits would come in the form of magic. Witches, shifters, and Fae don't exist, right?
This new world I've discovered is dangerous. The Tainted want to kill me, innocent paranormals want my help, and the son of Hades needs me to find demons.
Give me an Ibuprofen and watch out. I'm not about to stand by and let someone else ruin my life. I'm a middle-aged woman on a brand-new mission, and nothing's going to stop me.
One day I'm married, living in the triangle, and working as a head nurse at one of the country's best hospitals.
The next, I've shed a hundred and seventy-five pounds of idiot and find myself encountering ghosts, dragons and pixies while taking care of a sick patient.
Losing my sanity didn't seem like the worst thing to happen since I moved back home with my mom and nana.
But I have to make the best of this mess for the sake of my children. And I refuse to give my ex the satisfaction of knowing he literally drove me crazy.
I didn't mind rolling with the punches... I just never imagined those hits would come in the form of magic. Witches, shifters, and Fae don't exist, right?
This new world I've discovered is dangerous. The Tainted want to kill me, innocent paranormals want my help, and the son of Hades needs me to find demons.
Give me an Ibuprofen and watch out. I'm not about to stand by and let someone else ruin my life. I'm a middle-aged woman on a brand-new mission, and nothing's going to stop me.
260 pages, Paperback
First published May 10, 2021
1499 people are currently reading
672 people want to read
About the author
Brenda Trim
354 books765 followersBrenda's Paranormal Women's Fiction
Mystical Midlife in Maine Series
1. Magical Makeover
2. Laugh Lines & Lost Things
3. Hellmouth & Hot Flashes
4. Holidays With Hades
5. Saggy But Witty in Crescent City
6. Nasty Curses & Big Purses
7. Fae Forged Axes & Chin Waxes
8. Demonic Stones & Creaky Bones
9. Underworld Frights & Sleepless Nights
10. Pixie Dust & Brain Rust
11. Magical Hands & Silver Strands
12. Deadly Quips & Furry Lips
13. Enchanted Tattoos & Lost Fools
14. Shady Secrets & Sun Spots
Twisted Sisters Midlife Maelstrom Series
1. Packing Serious Magical Mojo
2. Cadaver On Canal Street
3. Seances & Second Line Parades
4. French Quarter Fae
5. King's Day Magical Mischief
6. Etou-Fae The Hard Way
7. Hurricanes, Heros & Hail Marys
8. Royal Street Romp
9. Levees, Lost Crowns & Loa
10. Mud Bugs & Cherished Hugs
11. Creole Dishes & Deadly Wishes
Brenda's Paranormal Romance Books
DARK WARRIOR ALLIANCE SERIES
1. Dream Warrior
2. Mystik Warrior
3. Pemas Storm
4. Isis Betrayal
5. Deviant Warrior
6. Suvi's Revenge
7. Scarred Warrior
8. Hellbound Warrior
9. Isobel
10. Rogue Warrior
11. Shattered Warrior
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 174 reviews
December 6, 2023
This book has a good storyline and, while it does follow a traditional woman hurt, woman becomes powerful, woman finds hot guy story line, the premise of the book is interesting.
I didn't give this book more stars because...
1. The book is C-H-O-P-P-Y!!! It could use a few more sentences at the end of each chapter to make it flow to the next. I found myself having to re read several areas to see if I could get them to make sense to me.
2. The second thing that made the book less enjoyable, and contributed to the choppy feeling were all the typos. There were tons of incorrect tenses, and missing or incorrect “and” words.
3. The character interaction could have used some finesse. Lines jumped from one character to another without ease.
I am a speed reader and I can only think of 2 books that tripped me up. Making me have to re read and try to under stand who is talking and about what, is hard to do on me because I am not deliberately taking in each word. I don't like having to re read something on every page to make sense of what the author is trying to say. I DONT mean that in a mysterious, secretive way. To me, it is akin to trying to piece together broken English at some points in the book.
Eh... 1 more reason
The introduction of magic to our main characters family, and their acceptance takes about 1.5 pages. That is it. She calls them on the phone, tells them she inherited magic and they basically have no reaction.
Good story line, different than some of the same repetitive ones I have read. The book just needs some fine tuning. 🙂
I didn't give this book more stars because...
1. The book is C-H-O-P-P-Y!!! It could use a few more sentences at the end of each chapter to make it flow to the next. I found myself having to re read several areas to see if I could get them to make sense to me.
2. The second thing that made the book less enjoyable, and contributed to the choppy feeling were all the typos. There were tons of incorrect tenses, and missing or incorrect “and” words.
3. The character interaction could have used some finesse. Lines jumped from one character to another without ease.
I am a speed reader and I can only think of 2 books that tripped me up. Making me have to re read and try to under stand who is talking and about what, is hard to do on me because I am not deliberately taking in each word. I don't like having to re read something on every page to make sense of what the author is trying to say. I DONT mean that in a mysterious, secretive way. To me, it is akin to trying to piece together broken English at some points in the book.
Eh... 1 more reason
The introduction of magic to our main characters family, and their acceptance takes about 1.5 pages. That is it. She calls them on the phone, tells them she inherited magic and they basically have no reaction.
Good story line, different than some of the same repetitive ones I have read. The book just needs some fine tuning. 🙂
May 16, 2021
Phoebe's marriage ended in the most humiliating way possible, when her cardiothoracic surgeon husband trades her in for a much younger woman, Phoebe had worked as a charge nurse, but she is now unemployable thanks to her ex-husband and his girlfriend (stress on the girl),ministrations she has left her marriage with her 2 kids Jean Marc who is in college and her teenage daughter Nina. Nina and Phoebe have moved to Maine and moved back to Phoebes'' childhood home with her mum and gran.
Managing to get a job nursing a woman Hattie Silva, A strange woman who makes odd comments to her, talking about magic and ghosts as if they were real. But as a nurse she knows that there is no such thing as magic....right?
Phoebe wanted a midlife makeover, she's about to get one and it's much more magical than she could ever believe!
This is a great story, and touches base with our friend Fiona over in Pymm's Pond in the UK (From Brenda Trims' Midlife Witchery) I love that Phoebe has been friends with Fiona since nursing school, but obviously Fiona was having to hold a whole part of her new life from her best friend, but a chance (was it chance or fate??) gift saves Phoebe's life, and Hattie insists it's an item of power.
This book is about new beginnings, new beliefs and old magic and enemies.
A really interesting read, how does a woman who doesn't believe in magic take on an enemy that is after the magic she has been gifted, how do you keep your family safe when your not sure you can look after yourself, and is it possible to trust another man after the last on treated you so badly.
Phoebe is a great character as a middle ages woman, life is not over, her knees might hurt know and then, and hot flashes are a thing, but we still have a lot to offer in midlife, with age comes wisdom, and Phoebe proves this over and over.
(You do not need to have read the Midlife Witchery series, to enjoy this book as it is a stand alone series but if you haven't started it already once you've read Magical Makeover I highly recommend you do,)
Managing to get a job nursing a woman Hattie Silva, A strange woman who makes odd comments to her, talking about magic and ghosts as if they were real. But as a nurse she knows that there is no such thing as magic....right?
Phoebe wanted a midlife makeover, she's about to get one and it's much more magical than she could ever believe!
This is a great story, and touches base with our friend Fiona over in Pymm's Pond in the UK (From Brenda Trims' Midlife Witchery) I love that Phoebe has been friends with Fiona since nursing school, but obviously Fiona was having to hold a whole part of her new life from her best friend, but a chance (was it chance or fate??) gift saves Phoebe's life, and Hattie insists it's an item of power.
This book is about new beginnings, new beliefs and old magic and enemies.
A really interesting read, how does a woman who doesn't believe in magic take on an enemy that is after the magic she has been gifted, how do you keep your family safe when your not sure you can look after yourself, and is it possible to trust another man after the last on treated you so badly.
Phoebe is a great character as a middle ages woman, life is not over, her knees might hurt know and then, and hot flashes are a thing, but we still have a lot to offer in midlife, with age comes wisdom, and Phoebe proves this over and over.
(You do not need to have read the Midlife Witchery series, to enjoy this book as it is a stand alone series but if you haven't started it already once you've read Magical Makeover I highly recommend you do,)
September 14, 2022
This book had such a good premise, but I honestly couldn’t even finish it. The pacing is so bad that it pulls you out of the story over and over. The details are other too much at times or non existent. You don’t even learn the main character’s name until several chapters in.
With some really heavy handed editing this could have been something special I think, but in the end it just didn’t meet its potential
With some really heavy handed editing this could have been something special I think, but in the end it just didn’t meet its potential
June 11, 2021
Disappointing
Badly in need of continuity editing, as the heroines inner voice is apparently suffering a serious case of ADD. Which is sad, because the premise is very intriguing- However, I could not continue reading.
Badly in need of continuity editing, as the heroines inner voice is apparently suffering a serious case of ADD. Which is sad, because the premise is very intriguing- However, I could not continue reading.
May 10, 2021
In this book we meet Phoebe, a middle-aged mother who is getting a divorce since her husband has replaced her with a younger model. If that isn't enough the younger woman worked at the same hospital as Phoebe and made sure she had a difficult time getting a job. That leaves Phoebe taking her daughter and moving back home to Maine with her mother and grandmother. Sounds awful right? She does get a job but one that has a time limit as the patient is dying of cancer. You would think that Phoebe is due a little good luck at this point.
Well that luck will come in the world of witches, fae and shifters. Phoebe gets thrust into this world thanks to the magic that was gifted to her and she has to attempt to figure it all out. I mean this is a book that was right up my alley. I will say that I loved that this story involved an older woman. Too many times we get young women and the older ones are portrayed as bitter and hateful. Brenda Trim did a phenomenal job of taking me on the wildest ride. I loved every second of this book.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. This review was originally posted on Wickedly Romance
Well that luck will come in the world of witches, fae and shifters. Phoebe gets thrust into this world thanks to the magic that was gifted to her and she has to attempt to figure it all out. I mean this is a book that was right up my alley. I will say that I loved that this story involved an older woman. Too many times we get young women and the older ones are portrayed as bitter and hateful. Brenda Trim did a phenomenal job of taking me on the wildest ride. I loved every second of this book.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. This review was originally posted on Wickedly Romance
November 30, 2025
This story follows a nurse, in her 40’s. She is going through a difficult time, with a divorce and having to give up on her house and job. She has to start all over.
When she starts working for Hattie, an old and very ill woman, a world of witchcraft, shifters, demons, etc … opens up to her.
I enjoyed listening to this book. It’s a relaxing and cosy read and Phoebe’s strength and courage are infectious. ☺️
The narrator’s voice and enthusiasm, combined with this enjoyable story, make this book a one to read!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
When she starts working for Hattie, an old and very ill woman, a world of witchcraft, shifters, demons, etc … opens up to her.
I enjoyed listening to this book. It’s a relaxing and cosy read and Phoebe’s strength and courage are infectious. ☺️
The narrator’s voice and enthusiasm, combined with this enjoyable story, make this book a one to read!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 22, 2021
When life gives you lemons... give yourself a magical makeover! Hell yeah you do. I love a good paranormal midlife magical read and this is a great one! Newly divorced and thrust into a whole new world filled with ghosts, dragons, pixies, Witches, shifters, and Fae, Pheobe is a fantastic heroine who is a great role model to starting over midlife. It’s a great magical read so grab your ibuprofen and jump on in!
July 19, 2021
This book by Brenda Trim was all around fun to read. Phoebe has moved home to Camden, ME after her divorce. She's smart and fierce when it comes to her patients as she takes their health personally as she cares for them. Hattie was such a wonderful character and I wished she could have been in the story longer. The supporting characters are really likable and I look forward to getting to know all of them better as the series progresses.
August 28, 2025
If this book had been any longer it would have been a dnf but I pushed through it.
The writing was very choppy. Plus there are numerous typos and grammatical errors.
On the whole it just drove me crazy. If you or a loved one are in deadly peril would you notice how hot a guy without a shirt looked? Really?
The writing was very choppy. Plus there are numerous typos and grammatical errors.
On the whole it just drove me crazy. If you or a loved one are in deadly peril would you notice how hot a guy without a shirt looked? Really?
January 30, 2022
Cute little story.
August 29, 2021
Reviewed at Paranormal-y Romantic
I had a blast entering the Mystical Midlife in Maine series (world) with Magical Makeover. And while there is a connection with an earlier series, Midlife Witchery, I didn’t feel I had to wait and read that series first (although I will go back at some point). Brenda Trim is a new-to-me author so I feel that I have a definite bit of backlist reading to get to soon.
Phoebe’s life went sideways when her husband decided that a younger woman would easily replace her. One divorce, one major life disruption later and Phoebe is back home in Maine trying to put her life back together. Since her husband’s side piece has made it her life’s mission to ensure that Phoebe never works in her chosen nursing field ever again, finding work hasn’t been easy. Right now she’s doing personal in-home nursing for one elderly woman who is dealing with cancer and is close to the end of her life. Hattie is many things – kind but fierce, wise but understanding, she is foremost a powerful witch without an heir (family female member) to pass her powers to before death claims her. It might be the last thing Phoebe ever thought possible, after all, magic is just for fairytales, right? But her life is about to be turned upside down when the impossible becomes her new reality.
When Hattie passes and her magic goes to Phoebe the danger surrounding the estate only increases for a Tainted witch is about to attack ready to steal the powerful magic that has been passed into Phoebe’s care… and she’s not alone in that deadly desire.
I love a world where there are secondary characters that populate the world throughout the series and play a vital part in each story. So Phoebe’s daughter, mother, and grandmother are all a part of this new world along with a dragon shifter, a wolf shifter, a pixie, Phoebe’s familiar, and the son of Hades – to name just a few. While there might be a romance brewing it isn’t the focus of the story, more like a “wonder if they’ll ever” type of feel. There is certainly danger in this world yet there is also humor, the chuckle-out-loud kind, interesting characters, and the wondering of what could possibly come at Phoebe next throughout. I enjoyed myself immensely and will definitely be following this series to its conclusion.
I read this title through my Kindle Unlimited subscription.
I had a blast entering the Mystical Midlife in Maine series (world) with Magical Makeover. And while there is a connection with an earlier series, Midlife Witchery, I didn’t feel I had to wait and read that series first (although I will go back at some point). Brenda Trim is a new-to-me author so I feel that I have a definite bit of backlist reading to get to soon.
Phoebe’s life went sideways when her husband decided that a younger woman would easily replace her. One divorce, one major life disruption later and Phoebe is back home in Maine trying to put her life back together. Since her husband’s side piece has made it her life’s mission to ensure that Phoebe never works in her chosen nursing field ever again, finding work hasn’t been easy. Right now she’s doing personal in-home nursing for one elderly woman who is dealing with cancer and is close to the end of her life. Hattie is many things – kind but fierce, wise but understanding, she is foremost a powerful witch without an heir (family female member) to pass her powers to before death claims her. It might be the last thing Phoebe ever thought possible, after all, magic is just for fairytales, right? But her life is about to be turned upside down when the impossible becomes her new reality.
When Hattie passes and her magic goes to Phoebe the danger surrounding the estate only increases for a Tainted witch is about to attack ready to steal the powerful magic that has been passed into Phoebe’s care… and she’s not alone in that deadly desire.
I love a world where there are secondary characters that populate the world throughout the series and play a vital part in each story. So Phoebe’s daughter, mother, and grandmother are all a part of this new world along with a dragon shifter, a wolf shifter, a pixie, Phoebe’s familiar, and the son of Hades – to name just a few. While there might be a romance brewing it isn’t the focus of the story, more like a “wonder if they’ll ever” type of feel. There is certainly danger in this world yet there is also humor, the chuckle-out-loud kind, interesting characters, and the wondering of what could possibly come at Phoebe next throughout. I enjoyed myself immensely and will definitely be following this series to its conclusion.
I read this title through my Kindle Unlimited subscription.
May 12, 2021
Phoebe is a forty-three year old divorcée from the triangle area of North Carolina. After her ex-husband and his side piece (who happens to be in H.R.) make sure she can’t get another nursing job at a hospital. While her son is in college in the area, she and her teenage daughter move to back to her mom’s home in Maine. Now there are four generations of women in that family living together! Phoebe gets a job taking care of Hattie, an elderly woman with health issues. Phoebe then proceeds to think she’s losing her mind since Hattie tells her that there are wolves living on the land…and a dragon too! Phoebe’s heard the rumors that her boss is a witch, but she is skeptical about that. Phoebe’s a nurse, she doesn’t believe in magic!
So, in quite a dramatic moment or two, Hattie passes and suddenly Phoebe inherits her magic. Wow! Phoebe has to learn a lifetime of magic all at once, and no, it doesn’t happen instantly. I have to say that Ms. Trim sucked me in from the first paragraph. Phoebe is a great character and I love her and her immediate family at home in Maine. That would be her grandmother, mother and her daughter. Hattie was pretty darn awesome too. We didn’t get to meet her son, and I don’t know whether to be happy about that or not. Now that Phoebe is a powerful witch, she and her family are in danger. Does that include her son too? That is actually the biggest question I have after finishing the book. Weird, huh? It’s a good story with great characters and I can’t wait for the second book, Laugh Lines & Lost Things that gets released in July.
I received this ARC via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review. Frankly, I borrowed it via KindleUnlimited first since I wanted to see if I would like it. As I’ve said before, I always give honest reviews whether people appreciate them or not.
So, in quite a dramatic moment or two, Hattie passes and suddenly Phoebe inherits her magic. Wow! Phoebe has to learn a lifetime of magic all at once, and no, it doesn’t happen instantly. I have to say that Ms. Trim sucked me in from the first paragraph. Phoebe is a great character and I love her and her immediate family at home in Maine. That would be her grandmother, mother and her daughter. Hattie was pretty darn awesome too. We didn’t get to meet her son, and I don’t know whether to be happy about that or not. Now that Phoebe is a powerful witch, she and her family are in danger. Does that include her son too? That is actually the biggest question I have after finishing the book. Weird, huh? It’s a good story with great characters and I can’t wait for the second book, Laugh Lines & Lost Things that gets released in July.
I received this ARC via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review. Frankly, I borrowed it via KindleUnlimited first since I wanted to see if I would like it. As I’ve said before, I always give honest reviews whether people appreciate them or not.
May 19, 2021
Mystical Midlife in Maine tells the story of Phoebe and how she obtained the magical powers of one of the strongest witches in the world. When Phoebe was divorced, her husband and his mistress made sure she lost her hospital job as a critical care nurse and could not get employment anywhere in the area where she lived. She moved back home with her Nana, Mom and Nina - her daughter and obtained a post as care giver for Hattie Silva. When a rogue Witch attempts to kill Hattie to steal her powers, Phoebe interferes, fights off the witch and almost loses her life. Hattie transfers her witch powers to Phoebe to save her life. Hattie had already decided to pass her powers to Phoebe.
In an afternoon, she meets a shifter werewolf, pixie, dragon, and Son of Hades who is an investigator of supernatural occurrences. She learns of the different communities that live under Hattie and now her protection.
In addition to learning how to control and use her powers, Phoebe learns Hattie was also a supernatural detective and an elf appears asking for help to find his Aunt who was kidnapped. She learns, from the Son of Hades, that dark magic was performed on her new property and several demons were let loose into the human world and that dark witches, Turned Ones, will be after her to steal her powers. She needs to learn potions and create protection spells for her family as well as herself and reinforce the protection ward around her property to protect the various supernatural beings who lived there. All in a days work!!
The challenges are non-stop for Phoebe and she finds her internal resources to keep moving forward to protect her family as well as the residents on her new property.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
In an afternoon, she meets a shifter werewolf, pixie, dragon, and Son of Hades who is an investigator of supernatural occurrences. She learns of the different communities that live under Hattie and now her protection.
In addition to learning how to control and use her powers, Phoebe learns Hattie was also a supernatural detective and an elf appears asking for help to find his Aunt who was kidnapped. She learns, from the Son of Hades, that dark magic was performed on her new property and several demons were let loose into the human world and that dark witches, Turned Ones, will be after her to steal her powers. She needs to learn potions and create protection spells for her family as well as herself and reinforce the protection ward around her property to protect the various supernatural beings who lived there. All in a days work!!
The challenges are non-stop for Phoebe and she finds her internal resources to keep moving forward to protect her family as well as the residents on her new property.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 28, 2021
Love how Fiona's friend gets pulled into her world!!! Phoebe soooooooooooo deserves to have things go right for her! Cant wait to hear more about her adventures and looking forward to when the 2 meet again! Hattie would've been a wonderful person to know, from just the little bit she played in this book you know she was compassionate, loving, would've made the best aunt/friend! The house and property sounds beautiful and the people/spirits surrounding her were just the same! I think Fiona has the same thing on the other side of the "pond" and they are both going to have the BEST mid-life turn around ever! They have good people at their backs helping them along and learning how all this works. Phoebe's daughter is already in neck deep she's just soaking it up like a sponge! Love how mom and grandma jump on the bandwagon and don't downplay it for coincidence! Myrna is going to pop up every so often and until she's taken out I think she'll be the main "bogeyman" in this series. I'm truly loving all these midlife turnover stories where the incredible happens to a middle aged woman instead of the 20somethings! We can be badasses too! Love Love Love it!!!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 7, 2021
Brenda Trim convinced me with "Midlife Witchery" and I was looking forward to her next book in the PWF genre. "Magical Makeover" is the first book of Brenda Trims new series "Mystical Midlife in Maine".
The story starts when Phoebe settles down in her new life. She is getting a divorce and moved back to her mother and Nana. I was easily drawn into the story and I liked it a lot not to start with a grieving heartbroken Woman, but one who keeps going on, even with all the obstacles thrown her way.
Phoebe doesn't believe in witchcraft but soon she is forced to reconsider her opinion.
It quickly becomes exciting and it is getting quite dangerous for Phoebe. It was great to discover a new world with Phoebe. Compared to other books in the PWF genre there was less humour, but I didn't miss it.
It doesn't get romantic; Phoebe needs to find herself before she is looking for new love. But there is a possible love interest and I am looking forward to the development between these two.
The second book in this series “Laugh Lines & Lost Things” is announced for July 2021.
The audio book is narrated by Regan Brown. I loved her interpretation of the characters.
Note: I requested a free copy of the audio book in exchange for my honest review.
The story starts when Phoebe settles down in her new life. She is getting a divorce and moved back to her mother and Nana. I was easily drawn into the story and I liked it a lot not to start with a grieving heartbroken Woman, but one who keeps going on, even with all the obstacles thrown her way.
Phoebe doesn't believe in witchcraft but soon she is forced to reconsider her opinion.
It quickly becomes exciting and it is getting quite dangerous for Phoebe. It was great to discover a new world with Phoebe. Compared to other books in the PWF genre there was less humour, but I didn't miss it.
It doesn't get romantic; Phoebe needs to find herself before she is looking for new love. But there is a possible love interest and I am looking forward to the development between these two.
The second book in this series “Laugh Lines & Lost Things” is announced for July 2021.
The audio book is narrated by Regan Brown. I loved her interpretation of the characters.
Note: I requested a free copy of the audio book in exchange for my honest review.
April 19, 2021
“Magical Makeover” is a Paranormal Women’s Fiction and the first book in Brenda Trim’s new series - Mystical Midlife in Maine. The story has twists and turns and is a page turner from page one. The road is never straight or assured.
We meet Phoebe, a middle-aged mother who is getting a divorce. Her husband found a younger woman to replace her who worked at the same hospital, as Phoebe and she made sure that Phoebe wouldn’t find a job in North Carolina. Phoebe had to take her daughter and move back home to Maine to live with her grandmother and mother. She was able to get a job, as private nurse to an older woman who is dying of cancer. This seems difficult, you think, how can life get worse for Phoebe ?? - BUT, this is just the beginning…Accidentally, she is thrust into a world of witches, fae and shifters and is expected to keep everyone safe while figuring out how to use the powerful magic that was gifted to her! We hope that she is a fast learner. LOL
Brenda Trim kept me on the edge of my seat, the story is fast paced, filled with excitement and enjoyment. The interaction and chemistry between the characters is wonderful. Can’t wait for the next story!
We meet Phoebe, a middle-aged mother who is getting a divorce. Her husband found a younger woman to replace her who worked at the same hospital, as Phoebe and she made sure that Phoebe wouldn’t find a job in North Carolina. Phoebe had to take her daughter and move back home to Maine to live with her grandmother and mother. She was able to get a job, as private nurse to an older woman who is dying of cancer. This seems difficult, you think, how can life get worse for Phoebe ?? - BUT, this is just the beginning…Accidentally, she is thrust into a world of witches, fae and shifters and is expected to keep everyone safe while figuring out how to use the powerful magic that was gifted to her! We hope that she is a fast learner. LOL
Brenda Trim kept me on the edge of my seat, the story is fast paced, filled with excitement and enjoyment. The interaction and chemistry between the characters is wonderful. Can’t wait for the next story!
February 7, 2022
It’s a good tale! A great premise, I’m enjoy my foray into this new menopausal paranormal fantasy genre! This book is the first in this series by Brenda. I like the characters, they’re developed well and empathy provoking. The writing is a bit clumsy in the action scenes and more than once I had to go back and re-read a paragraph as I was completely lost. The description has the character standing in one place but then the character is described as being on the other side of the car but no mention of how she got there, character standing on the edge of the beach but then is in the water…how big is this beach? How did she move from the yard to the water when the last paragraph had her hiding/standing still? Anyway, while the anomalies were noticeable, they didn’t detract from the story too terribly and the pace kept things moving…maybe a little too quickly. I’m not sure if these are the sorts of things that other more prolific and successful authors are better at writing or they just have better editors.
I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the series at this point as I’m hoping these things get smoother with her writing the more she writes.
I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the series at this point as I’m hoping these things get smoother with her writing the more she writes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 17, 2021
I loved this book which is the first in a new series that features Fiona's friend Phoebe. If you read the Midlife Witchery series you will know that Phoebe and Fiona worked together as nurses. Phoebe's husband found a younger woman to replace her and kicked her to the curb. Then his new girlfriend, who worked at the same hospital in HR, made sure she couldn't find a job in North Carolina. Phoebe has taken her daughter and moved back home to Maine to live with her grandmother and mother. She has taken a job as a private nurse to an older woman who is dying of cancer.
Phoebe is not sure if her patient Hattie is crazy or just eccentric. She says the strangest things. She tells Phoebe that a ghost is upset that Phoebe ignores it and when Phoebe thinks she sees a dragon in the yard (maybe she is going crazy too), Hattie tells her it is just Tsekani. Wait. What? Everything comes to a head when a woman comes to see Hattie and Phoebe overhears her threat to take Hattie's "power". The rumor mill says that Hattie is a witch and whether or not Phoebe believes such a thing, she is darned if she will let anyone hurt her patient. When she finds the same woman on the edge of Hattie's property acting strangely, she jumps in to warn her to leave Hattie alone. That starts a battle that will change Phoebe's life forever.
Find out what happens when a middle-aged, almost-divorcee, mother is thrust into a world of witches, fae, and shifters where she is expected to keep everyone safe and figure out how to use powerful magic that was unexpectedly gifted to her. Of course, there are other beings that want to take her powers away and she will need to learn fast if she is to keep everyone safe. There is also a hot demigod who she may or may not want to jump (or that could just be the hot flashes). I am eagerly awaiting the next book.
I was given an advanced copy of this book by the author. My review is voluntary.
Phoebe is not sure if her patient Hattie is crazy or just eccentric. She says the strangest things. She tells Phoebe that a ghost is upset that Phoebe ignores it and when Phoebe thinks she sees a dragon in the yard (maybe she is going crazy too), Hattie tells her it is just Tsekani. Wait. What? Everything comes to a head when a woman comes to see Hattie and Phoebe overhears her threat to take Hattie's "power". The rumor mill says that Hattie is a witch and whether or not Phoebe believes such a thing, she is darned if she will let anyone hurt her patient. When she finds the same woman on the edge of Hattie's property acting strangely, she jumps in to warn her to leave Hattie alone. That starts a battle that will change Phoebe's life forever.
Find out what happens when a middle-aged, almost-divorcee, mother is thrust into a world of witches, fae, and shifters where she is expected to keep everyone safe and figure out how to use powerful magic that was unexpectedly gifted to her. Of course, there are other beings that want to take her powers away and she will need to learn fast if she is to keep everyone safe. There is also a hot demigod who she may or may not want to jump (or that could just be the hot flashes). I am eagerly awaiting the next book.
I was given an advanced copy of this book by the author. My review is voluntary.
April 20, 2021
This is an amazing start to new series. I hate to call it a spin-off, it's more of an extension of the Midlife Witchery series. At least that's how I see it. If you've read those books, you are gonna love this one. If you haven't, you should. Phoebe is in for some big changes in her life. After her divorce and the end of her career, she wasn't sure what to expect. Working for Hattie, who is a bit eccentric, turns out to be more than she bargained for. In one night, he life will be forever change. The supernatural is real. Magic, witches shifters and fae. For good measure, let's throw in a demi-god. Phoebe, a human, is about to inherit some pretty powerful magic. Problem is, she doesn't know how to use it. With the help of her new friends, and her family, she just might have a chance. This story was filled with action and suspense from the start. It is also full of laughs. Looks like Maine is going to be the backdrop for another magical adventure series. I received an early copy and this is my honest opinion.
May 18, 2021
Magical Makeover is a spin off of another series by this author. We first learn about Phoebe in the Magical New Beginnings series. Phoebe worked with Fiona as a nurse, and has moved back home to lick her wounds following the destruction of her marriage by her cheating spouse. Forced to change everything in her life she finds out that not everything is what it seems in our world Working for a curious and cantankerous old woman named Hattie, Phoebe learns that even a middle aged woman has a lot of living and learning to do.
The storyline is full of fun characters, though the story starts off slow. It took me longer to read than I anticipated, but was worth it. The author fills the pages with a lot of back story, likely because we need so much set up to help us on our adventure. I really enjoyed how the story unfolded overall. I look forward to seeing what happens next with Phoebe and her new friends.
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The storyline is full of fun characters, though the story starts off slow. It took me longer to read than I anticipated, but was worth it. The author fills the pages with a lot of back story, likely because we need so much set up to help us on our adventure. I really enjoyed how the story unfolded overall. I look forward to seeing what happens next with Phoebe and her new friends.
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 18, 2023
Just OK
So… that was…uneventful and just ordinary.
Clearly there was a whole parallel series to this one featuring Fiona that we’re supposed to be familiar with or at least try to care about. Granted it was a stand alone, but I just kept feeling like the author did a piss poor job of world building in this series because the magical world is already outlined in her sister series.
This story was just blah, I thought it had an interesting premise with the opening, but everything just felt unfinished! Did Miles and his new girlfriend try to mess up Phoebe’s life after her move back home? What’s up with her son and was he let in on the fact that mom’s a witch? Are we expected to ignore the fact that Phoebe has her dad’s lineage to consider when trying to decide where all her “power” came from? So Phoebe is a millionaire now but nothing about how she’s dealing with her new windfall or potential rumors that she may have possibly conned Hattie into leaving her fortune to her?
I won’t continue this series.
So… that was…uneventful and just ordinary.
Clearly there was a whole parallel series to this one featuring Fiona that we’re supposed to be familiar with or at least try to care about. Granted it was a stand alone, but I just kept feeling like the author did a piss poor job of world building in this series because the magical world is already outlined in her sister series.
This story was just blah, I thought it had an interesting premise with the opening, but everything just felt unfinished! Did Miles and his new girlfriend try to mess up Phoebe’s life after her move back home? What’s up with her son and was he let in on the fact that mom’s a witch? Are we expected to ignore the fact that Phoebe has her dad’s lineage to consider when trying to decide where all her “power” came from? So Phoebe is a millionaire now but nothing about how she’s dealing with her new windfall or potential rumors that she may have possibly conned Hattie into leaving her fortune to her?
I won’t continue this series.
December 2, 2025
Magical Makeover is the first book in Trim's Mystical Midlife in Maine series. This paranormal, urban fantasy centers around Phoebe. We quickly learn that Phoebe caught her husband cheating on her with a younger woman and then did everything possible to run her out of town. She ends up moving back home to Maine where she lives with her daughter Nina, her mother, and her grandmother.
Phoebe finds work as a private nurse for an elderly woman named Hattie. Hattie is somewhat eccentric and mysterious, but Phoebe is a professional and is there to do a job. In her time with Hattie, she learns that magic is real, ends up becoming magical herself, and has to defend herself and her loved ones against those who with to steal her magic. Needless to say, she's a little over her head. Fortunately she has the support of her familiar, a wolf shifter, a dragon shifter, amongst others.
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Regan Brown. I think she did a great job bringing Phoebe to life. As a middle aged woman, I found Phoebe to be relatable. Fortunately I don't have quite as much going on as our main character!
The author definitely laid a solid foundation upon which to continue building the series. I'm curious to see how Phoebe learns to master her magic, and what challenges she has to face next.
Phoebe finds work as a private nurse for an elderly woman named Hattie. Hattie is somewhat eccentric and mysterious, but Phoebe is a professional and is there to do a job. In her time with Hattie, she learns that magic is real, ends up becoming magical herself, and has to defend herself and her loved ones against those who with to steal her magic. Needless to say, she's a little over her head. Fortunately she has the support of her familiar, a wolf shifter, a dragon shifter, amongst others.
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Regan Brown. I think she did a great job bringing Phoebe to life. As a middle aged woman, I found Phoebe to be relatable. Fortunately I don't have quite as much going on as our main character!
The author definitely laid a solid foundation upon which to continue building the series. I'm curious to see how Phoebe learns to master her magic, and what challenges she has to face next.
May 15, 2021
Middle-aged and recently divorced, Phoebe Dieudonne has taken the only job she can find after moving back in with her mother and grandmother in Maine. She is a hospice nurse for Hattie, who has advanced cancer. Through Hattie, she finds a world she never knew existed, with witches, shifters, ghosts, and more, and she inherits something many of the supernaturals in the area are after.
This is an offshoot of Brenda Trim's Midlife Witchery series, and it is another winner. This iteration takes place in the US, and Phoebe is Fiona's best friend. It is a fantastic story and as a woman of a certain age myself, it is really nice to read about a heroine close to my own vintage. The book does end on a cliffhanger, so now I am anxiously awaiting the next book. I have no doubt it will be worth it. Definitely worth all five stars!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is an offshoot of Brenda Trim's Midlife Witchery series, and it is another winner. This iteration takes place in the US, and Phoebe is Fiona's best friend. It is a fantastic story and as a woman of a certain age myself, it is really nice to read about a heroine close to my own vintage. The book does end on a cliffhanger, so now I am anxiously awaiting the next book. I have no doubt it will be worth it. Definitely worth all five stars!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 28, 2021
Good
Note: this book is an offshoot of the author’s Midlife Witchery series. It contains a few spoilers for that series, so you may wich to read them first.
Phoebe is a nurse, caring for a wealthy, elderly woman in the town where she grew up.
Following a divorce, she is determined to start afresh, she just didn’t expect to inherit magical powers, and a house with magical beings living around it!
Suddenly her new start is all about beginning her new magical life, and it’s fraught with all kinds of unknown dangers.
This story of a midlife reboot, has an older heroine going through a post divorce lifestyle change. She’s introduced to the magical world, but her knowledge leads to misunderstandings and misfires.
There’s plenty to enjoy though, from a potential love interest, to magic lessons, and magical creatures galore.
If you’re a fan of Paranormal Women’s Fiction, older heroines, and magical midlife makeovers, then you’ll appreciate this book.
Note: this book is an offshoot of the author’s Midlife Witchery series. It contains a few spoilers for that series, so you may wich to read them first.
Phoebe is a nurse, caring for a wealthy, elderly woman in the town where she grew up.
Following a divorce, she is determined to start afresh, she just didn’t expect to inherit magical powers, and a house with magical beings living around it!
Suddenly her new start is all about beginning her new magical life, and it’s fraught with all kinds of unknown dangers.
This story of a midlife reboot, has an older heroine going through a post divorce lifestyle change. She’s introduced to the magical world, but her knowledge leads to misunderstandings and misfires.
There’s plenty to enjoy though, from a potential love interest, to magic lessons, and magical creatures galore.
If you’re a fan of Paranormal Women’s Fiction, older heroines, and magical midlife makeovers, then you’ll appreciate this book.
October 11, 2021
Great character & world building.
I loved Hattie. I wish there had been a way to have her teach Phoebe. However, Hattie hadn't figured out what was going on right under her nose. Aidoneus is very mysterious and odd in this book. Not used to him this way after reading Midlife Witchery series first. He will probably grow on me in the future books. I love Mythia she is so cool. The dragon is interesting & brave. Not even going to try to spell his name for fear of butchering it. Lol. And Layla the fiercely loyal, but blunt lycan. I feel like Phoebe beats herself up to much. She expects perfection from herself which is ridiculous. No one's perfect! Plus I think she did phenomenal for a mundie! I adore her brave daughter Nina, who rolls with the punches. She will make an amazing witch one day!
I loved Hattie. I wish there had been a way to have her teach Phoebe. However, Hattie hadn't figured out what was going on right under her nose. Aidoneus is very mysterious and odd in this book. Not used to him this way after reading Midlife Witchery series first. He will probably grow on me in the future books. I love Mythia she is so cool. The dragon is interesting & brave. Not even going to try to spell his name for fear of butchering it. Lol. And Layla the fiercely loyal, but blunt lycan. I feel like Phoebe beats herself up to much. She expects perfection from herself which is ridiculous. No one's perfect! Plus I think she did phenomenal for a mundie! I adore her brave daughter Nina, who rolls with the punches. She will make an amazing witch one day!
September 8, 2022
She claimed her power!
Phoebe is tossed into the magical world when her charge passes to the other side. She has been deemed worthy. Now she's gotta protect her family, her new friends and those seeking asylum on her land from the Tainted ones. A tall task, but she has a host of characters to help her. A great series starter, with crossover to another series starring Fiona.
Nana and Mollie are funny as they tease sexy dragon Tsekani. Mighty pixie Mythia makes it clear she ain't no Tinkerbell. Teen Nina better recognize. Wolf Layla is fierce and loyal as she lends her strength to Phoebe. Snarky but wise feline familiar Tarja guides Pheebs in her spellcasting. I love the ending - Phoebe invoked her dissatisfaction with her ex and kicked her first enemy to the curb. Permanently.
Phoebe is tossed into the magical world when her charge passes to the other side. She has been deemed worthy. Now she's gotta protect her family, her new friends and those seeking asylum on her land from the Tainted ones. A tall task, but she has a host of characters to help her. A great series starter, with crossover to another series starring Fiona.
Nana and Mollie are funny as they tease sexy dragon Tsekani. Mighty pixie Mythia makes it clear she ain't no Tinkerbell. Teen Nina better recognize. Wolf Layla is fierce and loyal as she lends her strength to Phoebe. Snarky but wise feline familiar Tarja guides Pheebs in her spellcasting. I love the ending - Phoebe invoked her dissatisfaction with her ex and kicked her first enemy to the curb. Permanently.
May 22, 2021
Entertaining Read
Phoebe is forced to makeover her life after her husband replaced her with a younger sports model. He and his girlfriend make it so that she can't work in the area, so she and her daughter move back to Maine to live with her mother and grandmother. She gets a job as a nurse for a very elderly lady who talks about magic. But her nurse's background doesn't allow her to believe in magic. Surprise! Surprise! She finds that Hattie has bequeathed Phoebe her powerful magic. What a problem! Learn to control the new magic, fight evil, and protect friends and family. I like the action, humor, and romance. Phoebe is a compelling yet vulnerable character. Other major characters are relatable. I look forward to the next book.
Phoebe is forced to makeover her life after her husband replaced her with a younger sports model. He and his girlfriend make it so that she can't work in the area, so she and her daughter move back to Maine to live with her mother and grandmother. She gets a job as a nurse for a very elderly lady who talks about magic. But her nurse's background doesn't allow her to believe in magic. Surprise! Surprise! She finds that Hattie has bequeathed Phoebe her powerful magic. What a problem! Learn to control the new magic, fight evil, and protect friends and family. I like the action, humor, and romance. Phoebe is a compelling yet vulnerable character. Other major characters are relatable. I look forward to the next book.
May 16, 2021
Phoebe moved back to Maine with her daughter after a bitter divorce. The only job she could find was as a private nurse, caring for an old woman who is dying. The last thing she expected was to be pulled into the world of supernatural creatures.
Absolutely wonderful characters. I love Phoebe, and the fact that she is a "mature woman" makes it even better. There is some exciting action, magical battles, and even some suspenseful moments. I love these books, and think it's wonderful that this author is writing stories that feature a main character that has plenty of life experience and uses that to help her in adjusting to her new circumstances. I think this is a must read.
Absolutely wonderful characters. I love Phoebe, and the fact that she is a "mature woman" makes it even better. There is some exciting action, magical battles, and even some suspenseful moments. I love these books, and think it's wonderful that this author is writing stories that feature a main character that has plenty of life experience and uses that to help her in adjusting to her new circumstances. I think this is a must read.
May 20, 2021
This is the first time I have read any of this author's work and I have enjoyed it. I gather, from the other reviews that this is a spin off from an established series but it works well as a standalone. It's all about Phoebe, a recent divorcee, still hurting a very painful and humiliating experience from a cheating and vindictive jerk of a husband and his mistress but who finds the strength to overcome all that and make a new life for herself. The fact that this also includes magic is a real bonus.
Exciting and fun, with helpings of home truths and teeth grinding determination, I would certainly recommend this book. I can see a very interesting and bright lot of books to follow.
Exciting and fun, with helpings of home truths and teeth grinding determination, I would certainly recommend this book. I can see a very interesting and bright lot of books to follow.
September 11, 2021
After Phoebe’s husband turns into the classic midlife cliche and takes up with a woman half his age she is blacklisted for local jobs and moves back home. She takes a job providing home care to an elderly woman who claims to be a witch. Once in Hattie’s home Phoebe imagines she sees bizarre things and when a woman comes and tries to hurt Hattie, Phoebe is injured while protecting her. After that things change rapidly and get increasingly strange. Phoebe is a wonderful character with a fantastic supporting cast and I look forward to seeing where the next book takes her. I received an advance copy of this book and voluntarily left a review.
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