There is something so satisfying about an quick, sweet read. So many times books are time consuming and difficult to read, even our favorite novel can seem like pulling our own teeth at time. Lola Dodge gives us a treat for those times that we need a break.
From Goodreads:
After her run-in with a jealous warlock, apprentice baker Anise Wise can’t wait to get back the kitchen where she belongs. But thanks to her brush with death, the land of the living isn’t all cupcakes and marshmallows.
Anise’s magical mojo is way out of whack and her evolving powers are stirring up trouble. As the town buzzes with news that Anise can bake deathly spells, unsavory characters start lining up for a taste. They’ll stop at nothing for the chance to use Anise and her witchcraft to further their own plots.
She plans to hole up researching magic recipes until the attention dies down, but then she discovers the horrifying terms of her bodyguard’s contract. Wynn has saved her life so many times, she can’t leave him trapped. But doing the right thing will mean risking death or worse—being cast out of her dream job.
For this witch, justice might not be as sweet as advertised.
This book was absolutely delightful. It is definitely a cozy winter read, which was perfect for this weekend! I just happened to acquire it before Halloween, which was even more perfect! I was lost in the story for an afternoon.
I was partially attracted to the book because of the cover, and the cover gives you an accurate flavor of the story. It's not complex, twisted or too demanding of a magical system. Anise is a likeable character, even though some of her behavior is problematic for the intended audience, particularly the romance factor.
The narrators voice (Anise) is clever, simple and clean. I loved the way the story was written, the body of prose a mix of baking, clever quips and a feeling of home. Anise encounters her fair share of teenage trouble - from bad luck to a horrid sense of fashion and constant need to mend every broken piece of a person. This also shows Anise has a huge heart, so it's not something that should be written off as a terrible flaw. I really enjoyed her relationships with the other characters, her aunt being one of the characters I felt really molded Anise's views of the magical world, in more ways than one.
Overall, this is a perfect evening novel. It's written in the style of a YA/MG novel, with a very easy to understand narrative. I gave this novel an easy 3.5/5 stars. There were plot holes that were not explained away, and the general target audience clashes with the characters age and some of the actions. Other wise, it's a great read for a cold night, paired with a mug of hot cocoa and maybe a little sugar and spice. ;)
**Thank you to Netgalley and publisher for an egalley in exchange for an honest review**
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