The Book Charmer by Karen Hawkins

The Book Charmer (Dove Pond, #1)

by Karen Hawkins

New York Times bestselling author Karen Hawkins crafts an unforgettable story about a sleepy Southern town, two fiercely independent women, and a truly magical friendship.

Sarah Dove is no ordinary bookworm. To her, books have always been more than just objects: they live, they breathe, and sometimes they even speak. When Sarah grows up to become 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 that Dove Pond desperately needs. The problem is, Grace wants little to do with the town or its quirky residents—Sarah chief among them. It takes a bit of urging, and the help of an especially wise book, but Grace ultimately embraces the challenge to rescue her charmed new community. In her quest, she discovers the tantalizing promise of new love, the deep strength that comes from having a true friend, and the power of finding just the right book.

“A mesmerizing fusion of the mystical and the everyday” (Susan Andersen, New York Times bestselling author), The Book Charmer is a heartwarming story about the magic of books that feels more than a little magical itself. Prepare to fall under its spell.

Reviewed by kimbacaffeinate on

5 of 5 stars

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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

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 7 June, 2019: Finished reading
  • 7 June, 2019: Reviewed
  • Started reading
  • 7 June, 2019: Finished reading
  • 7 June, 2019: Reviewed