The autumn equinox is drawing near and the mystical town of Myrtlewood is plunged into a spellbinding adventure.
Rosemary's chocolate shop is thriving with the help of Papa Jack, but it isn't long before the town is under attack by mysterious swampy monsters, and the local election reveals a dark side to the normally peaceful village.
Meanwhile, despite her mother's reservations, Athena is determined to embark on a journey into the fae realm to uncover her heritage and play a role in forging a treaty between magical beings.
Join Rosemary and Athena as they navigate vampire politics, pesky pixies, complicated magical family dynamics and feisty familiars!
... to like the main characters... Rosemary whines, Athena whinges... Rosemary doesn't seem to have much of a work ethic, Athena is stroppy and rude to her mother... Rosemary is still socially inept and still makes no attempt to educate herself... Athena brags about her powers...
Another great book in this series. This is relatable with how life is here and the unfairness of the minorities getting unfair treatment. It outrages you and makes you want to help change how things are.
Good story telling but just messy. Final chapter, characters names were misspelled. Also rosemary continues to be the most annoying character of all time. She has had zero emotional growth in this whole series. It was great to see less of her in the book, and also great to have Athena tell her that she sucks at one point. Also like why did rosemary start a business if she doesn’t care about it, and why do people ask for her help when clearly everything she touches falls to shit?
As with all the other books in this series so far, my opinion is that they are nice stories but NOT well written. In this instalment, two of the characters’ names were spelled differently in the last chapter for some unknown reason! Apart from this, I find the books, including this one, to be enjoyable and a very easy and quick read.
When I first began the Myrtlewood Mysteries series, I wasn't sure I would continue. My initial reaction to Athena, the sarcastic teenager, was far from positive—her rude attitude toward her mother, Rosemary, was grating. I listened to the first book on Audible, and I suspect the narrator’s tone amplified Athena's snarkiness, making it hard to enjoy their dynamic. However, I decided to give the series another chance by switching to the Kindle version, and I'm so glad I did! Hearing Athena's voice in my head instead of the narrator's softened her sarcasm and helped me see the dry humor that actually defines her relationship with Rosemary.
Fast forward to book six, Bountiful Magic, and I can confidently say I’ve come to love this series. It’s become my go-to palate cleanser between heavier or more intense reads. The stories are lighthearted and fun, the characters feel like old friends, and the charming town of Myrtlewood has become a cozy, magical escape.
I particularly appreciate Iris Beaglehole’s thoughtful incorporation of Pagan holidays into the narrative. This installment, set during the Autumn Equinox, resonated with me as it’s one of my favorite times of year. The plot blends witch and vampire politics, pixie mischief, a trip to the fairy realm, and heartfelt family dynamics—all elements that make for an engaging and magical read.
By this point in the series, the characters and their relationships are well-developed, and the mother-daughter duo of Rosemary and Athena has become one of my favorite parts of the books. Their witty banter feels genuine, and I now see it as a reflection of a loving—albeit unconventional—family dynamic.
While Bountiful Magic won’t blow your mind with complex twists or deep philosophical themes, that’s not its purpose. It’s a light, entertaining read perfect for fans of cozy mysteries with a magical twist. If you're someone who enjoys stories tied to the rhythms of the natural world, you'll find an extra layer of relatability here.
Overall, this was a fun and satisfying addition to the series. While the lighter tone means it doesn’t quite reach the heights of some of my all-time favorites, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed getting lost in Myrtlewood, and I’m looking forward to whatever adventures await Rosemary and Athena next!
A Rich, Magical Tapestry – Progress, Peril, and Powerful Revelations
Bountiful Magic by Iris Beaglehole was an utterly captivating read from start to finish. This installment deepens the lore and pulls back the curtain on the history of Dain’s family and Queen Anne, giving us a richer understanding of their tangled pasts and the forces that shaped them. The introduction of the Morrigan was a thrilling addition—her presence was as intriguing as it was foreboding, hinting at deeper currents yet to come.
One of the most satisfying developments was the forward momentum on the long-discussed treaty, finally expanding the vision to protect all magical creatures—not just the elite and powerful. This shift in focus gives the story a moral weight and a sense of justice that feels long overdue.
Finnigan, too, was a pleasant surprise. In earlier books, he had the air of a conniving opportunist, but here he proves his loyalty, intelligence, and worth. Watching him step out from under that shadow was a joy. On the other hand, Una remains her warm, grounding self, and while she may not be a central figure, her kindness is a steady light. That’s why I can’t help but worry—there are hints she could be lured toward the darker path, and I truly hope her goodness remains unshaken.
With rich character growth, compelling new alliances, and the tantalizing promise of greater challenges ahead, Bountiful Magic leaves me both satisfied and desperate for the next chapter in this enchanting series.
Tea, the answer to all Life's problems! What a delight to get back to Myrtlewood. Whilst near the beginning, I found myself a bit frustrated by Rosemary's impulsive, chaotic nature, I also appreciate her intuition, empathy and passion for the causes she believes in, and dedication for responsibilities she takes on - she learns and grows every book. Her daughter, Athena, sometimes the more level-headed of the two, has her own adventure in the Fae realm, trying to ensure the treaty without getting married on the way! It's lovely how the story all draws together at the Autumn Equinox (with a wee after party, even). We get to meet, not only Witches, High Fae & Vampires, but also Werewolves, Pixies, Goddesses & Gods. We get some great bits of history and a lovely ritual in each book. Highly enjoyable!
I was so excited to see a new book in this series, I immediately dived into it. There’s just something that really speaks to me in this series. I love both main characters, a mother and daughter, as I watch them navigate both the magical world and their relationship. In this latest, Athena is summoned to Faerie by her grandmother, and Rosemary doesn’t want her to go. Add in the latest shenanigans in the town, and this is a great installment to the series full of great writing, interesting action, and fun goings-on! Highly recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.
This book made up for the lack of action in the last book. The split up of magical adventures of rosemary and Athena worked wonders as it had me wanting to find out what each was up to in their respective realms. It had more action, more magic and a great sense of morality. I enjoyed this book and can't wait to see what samhain has in store It does have a few typos more than the other books but still readable. Some of the characters I find to be lacking depth such as finnigan and even dain. But I suppose with so many characters, that's bound to happen. I am enjoying these books however. 6 down, 2 to go.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This story got super interesting near the end of the book and had some revelations that I did not expect. Now I got more questions and it appears Athena has more family closer than she realized but the story seems to have omitted the detail of one of her relatives.
The author still needs a better editor, proofreading and grammatical errors are definitely present.
The overall arch is evident in the epilogue and I am wondering how many times we are going to come back to that issue or are we ever going to move past it.
Rosemary and Ferg have to be 2 of the most annoying characters I have ever read about! But I like this series and will continue on.
This one swept me away right into the fae world, and I loved getting to explore Athena’s fae family. It added so much depth to her character—especially since we already know about her powerhouse witchy mother’s side. The relationship between Rosemary and Athena is finally maturing (thank goodness, because in earlier books it sometimes had me rolling my eyes), and it feels really rewarding to see them grow.
What makes Iris Beaglehole’s series such a treat is the way she blends small-town cozy witch vibes with bigger fantasy politics and worldbuilding. This installment happening around Mabon was such a delight—Beaglehole weaves in the significance of each Sabbat so naturally that I always come away learning something new.
And of course, my sapphic heart is thrilled that a light sapphic romance subplot is unfolding alongside all the hetero romance. Always a win! 💜 I can’t wait for Book 7—Samhain is my favorite Sabbat, so I’m already buzzing with anticipation.
It took me a bit to get through this one but I’m glad I did!! The ending was so fun/funny, I was giggling quite a lot. I think why I like this series so much is because it reminds me a lot of Gilmore Girls, my favorite TV show, with strange grandparents, a immature and absent, yet charming, father, and two ADHD queens being annoying at times lol Lot of parallels, almost alarmingly so but at the same time, it’s still refreshing and all the magic/mystery shenanigans change it up enough…for the most part anyways
I do like the storyline of this series and will probably keep readIng it. The main problem is that the conversations and thoughts don't seem to flow naturally. Rosemary is scattered and hasn't been growing in the series. The dynamics of her relationships are awkward. I hope this is resolved in future issues.
Love how Iris Beaglehole unravels one horrifying magical situation with the help of her teenage daughter and her growing circle of powerful friends! And as the reader relaxes with the characters in the after math, the epilogue reveals another vicious plot hatching for the next book!
It was ok. There's not too much suspense at all, so it's a little boring. My thought. Plus, Rosemary got on my nerves this time. Really annoyed me by being way too overprotective over her 17 year old daughter, Athena. But this is book 6 in the series, and I have come to know the characters and want to know how it all ends 😊
Good entertaining story but getting a bit fed up with Rosemary and her over protective attitude. But, bringing in more characters and "fleshing them out" is excellent. I enjoyed this one but only gave 4 stars because I was irritated by Rosemary!
Witches, monsters, Vampires, Goblins, Shapeshifters, Pixies, Werewolves & Fairies another page turning read in this must read series of books. Iris Beaglehole is the master of magical story telling.
This is an entertaining series of books about an older woman and her teenage daughter, who embrace their magical heritage in a quirky mystical town. It’s fast paced and a little bit late on plot development, but very enjoyable.
this time around the story has a political twist, and it’s also got a dungeon and travel feel, i must admit that i burnt though it, again very clever plotting. on to the next one, which is a side step as it appears to be set in New Zealand…
Once again Iris takes us beyond the mundane! This time it is to examine the prejudice and marginalisation of others while delivering an exciting and compelling story.
Absolutely loved this whole series and the Crones spin off and Holloway Rd. It's set in such a wonderful English village that it makes me wish I could live there too. I am eagerly awaiting the next book(s) so that I can drift off to Myrtlewood and be amongst my favourite characters 💗
I love seeing how the characters progress and new characters evolve and the surprising connections.. Without giving spoilers. The stories are well worth reading in "order " too really enjoy!
This book of the series was quite exciting and interesting as well. I would recommend it to anyone who likes magical fantasy. Ms. Beaglehole has a great imagination! Quite good, so I shall be starting the next one soon.,
Every book in the series has been amazing and has required my full attention until finished! That's rare these days, to keep a reader hooked across a whole series! Cannot wait to read more.
I am totally addicted to the series but this book was not very interesting. It didn't have any of the usual throw-ins of mystery as much as the other ones. It's always a lot more on relationships and one particular event.
The happenings n Myrtlewood continue to entertain and surprise. Our friends there evolve and mysteries abound. What a truly delightful series this is. I love it!