Poor Fiona. All She wants is to have a normal life, marry a normal man and have a normal job. In the beginning of The Enchanted Garden Café by Abigail Drake, she doesn’t get any of that. Her mother, the infamous Claire de Lune Campbell, owns the aforementioned café and Fiona’s life is mostly keeping her mother in check. Like making sure she doesn’t host naked yoga in a café where food is. Or selling tiny stone penises as fertility charms to the little old ladies who come for Sunday tea. Or the acoustic nights where they’re not supposed to serve alcohol but do anyway.
Fiona just wants to be an economist and marry her steady boyfriend Scott who has a steady corporate job and is safe. And nothing like Matthew, the guitarist who just walked into the Enchanted Café looking like a sexy pirate.
When Moses, one of their regulars is injured, what follows is a mystery of landmarks, corporate greed and immanent domain issues against the diverse and thriving South Side area that Fiona knows as home.
On top of this, Fiona must deal with a wonky fountain, her growing attraction to Matthew and forces that keep pulling her to do what needs to be done to save her community. There’s magic afoot in this book and despite Fiona not believing the adage is true, you might not believe in magic, but magic believes in you.
This story was a sweet romp and romance. I was more interested in the story itself, watching Fiona grow into herself, find out what she really wanted out of life and to open up to new experiences. The romance aspect was fine, the story about the curse of the Campbell women was a fun addition to this as well, even if nothing really came out of it.
It was a nice cozy mystery/romance for a rainy afternoon. Maybe with candles.
The days are flying by so quickly. It’s already the end of March. Leaves are reappearing on trees, green is showing itself. Flowers are blooming. Spring is poking her head out to see if winter is finally over.
Longer days. Warmer days.
Take advantage of it friends! Grab your new favorite book at this month’s bookstore, Parnassus Books and remember to grab your favorite drink and curl with with a good book.
Mouse's Reading Nook 