Garden Spells

An apple tree that is said to produce a highly unique kind of fruit is hidden behind a modest, peaceful home in a yard enclosed by a large fence in a much smaller town. Sarah Addison Allen narrates the tale of the magical tree and its remarkable caretakers in her brilliant first book...

The Waverley family has always been an odd bunch, with unusual talents that even in their birthplace of Bascom, North Carolina, make them strangers. Their garden has gained notoriety because to its resilient apple tree that produces foretelling fruits and its delectable blossoms that possess unique abilities. This garden was cultivated by generations of Waverleys. Their history was in the soil. However, so was their future.

Successful chef Claire Waverley creates meals using her magical plants, such as the pansies that teach youngsters mindfulness and the nasturtiums that help with secrecy, as well as the snapdragons that are meant to ward off her neighbor's amorous advances. Evanelle, her old relative, is renowned for giving out unexpected presents that eventually reveal their uncanny purposes. With the exception of Sydney, Claire's disobedient sister, who left Bascom as soon as she could and abandoned Claire, much like their own mother had done years before, they are the last of the Waverley family.

Claire's peaceful existence is upended, as is the barrier she has painstakingly built around her heart, when Sydney unexpectedly comes home with a little kid of her own. Reunited in their childhood home, Sydney evaluates all she left behind as Claire tries to move beyond her scars. The sisters quickly come to the realization that if they want to feel comfortable in Bascom or with one another, they need to address their shared past.

This engrossing book has a unique style and is both emotional and enchanting. It will leave a lasting impression.