Monday, March 22, 2021

Review: Falling Into Magic by Elizabeth Pantley

 


Genre
Paranormal, Cozy Mystery

Format
E-ARC

Publisher
Kindle Direct Publishing

Release Date
November 15, 2020


Synopsis from Goodreads:

When Hayden was a child, she lost her cat. Adults told her the cat ran away, but she knew the truth. The mirror had taken her. She knew because the mirror had given her a glimpse of an alternate world and had nearly pulled her in, so she was certain the cat had suffered that fate.

Twenty years later Hayden discovers the secret of the mirror when she is thrust into it. She learns of a world she never knew existed, and a family she never knew she had. But danger brought her here, and it followed her. Now, Hayden is on a mission to remove the threat, so that she can begin her magical, meaningful new life in this enchanted world.

My Review

As a young girl, Hayden’s cat disappeared.  Her family told her the cat ran away, but Hayden is convinced the cat went through her mirror.  Over the years, she has seen many images in the mirror including a castle she is convinced is hers.  She even sees a man she thinks is her guardian angel.

Now, as an adult, Hayden has a fairly happy life.  Although she has no siblings or parents, she has her Nana, Granana, her best friend Luna, and her cat Sassy.  Sassy is a beautiful Himalayan.  Sassy helps Hayden through the lonely times.  Luna and Hayden run their own online magazine.

Then, one day she is walking through town holding Sassy in her carrier, when she falls through a hole and into an alternate reality. She's taken into the enchanting town of Destiny Falls, where she discovers  a family she never knew about.  Fortunately, Sassy is with her but Sassy isn’t quite the same any longer.  She’s still a beautiful Himalayan but she now communicates with Hayden through their thoughts.  One thing Sassy is sure to tell Hayden is that she doesn’t like the name Sassy.

It’s not long before Hayden realizes she’s in danger.  Someone doesn’t want her there and will do whatever it takes to get rid of her.  There’s already one dead body and Hayden is determined not to be the next.  

For me, reading Falling Into Magic is like spending several hours in a beautiful fairy tale.  The setting of Destiny Falls is dazzling.  I wish it were a real place, I’d go there in a heartbeat.  It’s delightful to spend a few hours away from reality to delve into this magical town where you can have anything you want and anything can happen.  Hayden quickly finds out how easy it is to adapt to her new surroundings, although she does miss the people she left behind.  She vows to find a way to bring them here.

The characters are quite likeable and quirky.  I fell in love with our heroine, Hayden,  although my favorite is Hayden’s cat and I am happy to see her get a major role in this sweet story.  

The story oozes in charm, enchantment, and some mystery too.   I couldn’t figure out who was behind the threats aimed at Hayden and her family.  This book kept me thinking until the end.  I don't want to give too much away, but I will say there are so many fun, delightful and touching moments in this book.

I’m not usually a big paranormal fan, but this one warmed my heart and won me over.   I’m looking forward to reading book #2 in this whimsical series.


For reading challenges:

Alphabet Soup Reading Challenge 2021
Cruisin’ thru the Cozies Reading Challenge 2021
Purrfect Reading Challenge 2021
What An Animal Reading Challenge 2021


FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from the author and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.  All opinions expressed are my own.

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