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    The Book Charmer
    The Book Charmer
    The Book Charmer
    Audiobook11 hours

    The Book Charmer

    Written by Karen Hawkins

    Narrated by Tavia Gilbert, Amanda Ronconi and Sebastian York

    4/5

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    About this audiobook

    Prepare to fall under the spell of “this sometimes whimsical, often insightful, always absorbing story” (Shelf Awareness) following two fiercely independent women and their truly magical friendship in a sleepy Southern town, from New York Times bestselling author of Karen Hawkins.

    Sarah Dove is no ordinary bookworm. To her, books live, breathe, and sometimes even speak. As 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 Dove Pond desperately needs. The problem is, Grace wants little to do with the town or its quirky residents—Sarah chief among them. But with a bit of urging, and the help of an especially wise book, will Grace ultimately embrace the challenge to rescue her charmed new community?

    “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.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherSimon & Schuster Audio
    Release dateJul 30, 2019
    ISBN9781508292579
    Author

    Karen Hawkins

    New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Karen Hawkins writes novels that have been praised as touching, witty, charming, and heartwarming. A native Southerner who grew up in the mountains of East Tennessee where storytelling is a way of life, Karen recently moved to frosty New England with her beloved husband and multiple foster dogs. The Dove Pond series is a nod to the thousands of books that opened doors for her to more adventures, places, and discoveries than she ever imagined possible. To find out more about Karen, check in with her at Facebook.com/AuthorKarenHawkins, on Instagram @KarenHawkinsAuthor, and on her website KarenHawkins.com.  

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    Reviews for The Book Charmer

    4/5

    539 ratings46 reviews

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    • 5/5
      The Dove sisters are a favorite of mine! I love this book ❤️
    • 4/5
      Refreshing to follow a story about how dementia/altzheimers can affect relations and situations. Following the characters everyday life and everyday challenges was interesting enough, this story had no need of more "show" than that. The hint of magic the Dove family brought into the story was just enough, and the focus on work and business of Grace was wonderful. The only rhing that for me took away from the story was the different voices, and the mixing of them. Had to suddenly add volume when the man's voice came on, an then rush to lower it as a chapter changed and there was a woman's. Overall a good and soothing book.
    • 5/5
      This lovely book is full of both charm and magic! If you love stories about small town life, give this one a read for sure.
    • 4/5
      Sweet book and so easy to listen to. A really nice company during summer.
    • 3/5
      It was good but not the best. Light hearted and fun!
    • 4/5
      This is a book that I wouldn't normally choose to read. I don't remember how I stumbled on it. Somehow at my age I feel pressure to read books that teach me about our history or have some other kind of redeeming value.

      This novel has books that talk when needed, people that believe in ghosts, a woman that can make tea personalized to help only you and a Foster Mom who will only take children that need her. Parents who abandon and those that step in to take their place.

      I didn't expect to stumble on a book dealing with the loss of parents with dementia. Too close to home in some ways.

      I did enjoy this book though. And I became attached to the characters. It is heartwarming and does have redeeming value with insight into human relationships.

      Unfortunately it is book one in a series so now I will most likely need to read the rest of them.
    • 5/5
      This is the most heartwarming book ever. It is packed with events and emotions. The story is contemporary and really special. I loved every page of it.
      Special praise to the narrators, just the right intonation and vibe.
    • 4/5
      Loved the story but it took a while to get into it. Lots of detail written about everyone that slows things down a bit.
    • 1/5
      Painfully boring. Predictable from very start. Do not recommend this book
    • 5/5
      A charming book! If you’re looking for a light, feel good read this will fit the bill. I love the characters, and hope there is a book for each of the seven Pond sisters!
    • 5/5
      Absolutely loved this book and all the characters in it.
    • 5/5
      So warm and engaging! I loved it.
      This story helped me understand my mom
    • 5/5
      I love this book. If anyone is looking for a book that warms your heart and has a little bit of magic ten you should read this book.
    • 4/5
      I loved how the books found their readers. And how the people all knew each other and created a warm, happy community. And how in that caring; complicated and deep emotions found resolution. This is a satisfying read and brings an understanding of the value of a small town.
    • 5/5

      The Book Charmer (Dove Pond book 1) by Karen Hawkins
      (Scribd audiobook )

      What does a town that needs saving, a family struggling with a recent death and illness, a man in need of healing and a woman who talks to books have in common? They all come together in this very charming book. Im usually not into sentimental endings but this is a book that would warm the heart of my best friend from high school. Yes Val you made my book review ❤️.

      Would I buy this book? Indeed I would. In fact I’m off to book 2.
    • 4/5
      Lovely read, easy charming and light with a little magic.
    • 5/5
      I adore a story in which characters, wounded by life are able to heal and transform their lives in realistic and hopeful ways. In this book a small town is transformed along with a core group of characters ranging in age from child to grandmother.

      There is a sprinkling of magic in library books that choose their readers and sisters who have “special gifts.”

      I found it a most satisfying feel good story. Triggers might be PTSD and Alzheimer’s, as the first can be overcome, yet the second, overcomes a beloved character.
    • 5/5
      I loved how this story drew me to all the characters. I loved Grace, Mama G, Daisy, Sarah and Trav. I love that Sarah can tell what book a person needs at a certain time in their lives. I laughed and cried. I loved that Grace finds what she needs in her life. I received a complimentary copy of this book for an honest review that I gave of my own free will.
    • 4/5
      Highly recommended, especially if you're looking for something happy and hopeful to read while staying at home. If you like Sarah Addison Allen's books, this should be right up your alley.
    • 4/5
      Cute read.
    • 4/5
      I'm still fighting a book slump, and I need fluff. Industrial grade fluff. This fit the bill pretty perfectly. Small town America, seventh daughter of the town's founding family, all of whom have 'gifts', is the town librarian and the books talk to her. And nobody tries to medicate her, because it's magical realism. A newcomer with a boulder on her shoulder comes to town and the books tell Sarah that miss-cranky pants is going to save the town. I'm being a little snarky, which isn't fair to the book. Even though the story is entirely predictable, it's well written. Once I started it I was sucked into the magical little town of Dove Pond, and the characters all felt more real and well-adjusted than most of reality at the moment, so while it wasn't high literature, it was an absolutely perfect antidote to current events.
    • 4/5
      The perfect book for me as I transitioned from 2021 to 2022. It's light, it's happy it's sad, it's complicated, it's family, it's friendships, it's getting to know who you really are! It's also a book about books and their magic.
    • 4/5
      Whimsical, light
    • 4/5
      In Dove Pond it's always been accepted that when the Dove family has seven daughters, amazing things happen. Sarah Dove is aware of the town's expectations and has known from a young age that she'll have a role to play in saving the town - after all a book told her so. When Grace Wheeler arrives in town with her foster mother and her niece in tow, Sarah is surprised that the books firmly believe Grace will help Sarah save the town. While Sarah desperately wants to befriend Grace, Grace has no desire to call Dove Pond home for longer than she has to. Can the small town convince her otherwise?A magical realism novel set in a small town with a main character who's a librarian who can hear books talk to her? This book was basically catnip for me and was everything I'd hoped it would be. Filled with several lines that made me laugh out loud, there's plenty of charm from our main characters as well as the community members who make appearances throughout. But it's not all bookish magic and charm as Grace is dealing with being a caretaker for both her foster mother who is showing signs of dementia as well as her niece who is angry after the death of her mother, Grace's sister, Hannah. Watching Grace's family become a part of the community is part of the delight. Recommended and I'm looking forward to reading Hawkins next Dove Pond novel.
    • 4/5
      This is a charming book about a small town and its residents. Grace, a former foster child, and Sarah, the town librarian, are the main characters. Books speak to Sarah, and they tell her that Grace can help save the town which is in financial difficulty.A story of love, loss, family, including themes of dementia, PTSD, small town living, and a little magic.I enjoyed how the town was described, and how the residents all knew each other and their history. I thought it was accurate in describing how people think things should be, just because it has always been done that way. Then, someone new comes along and wants to change everything. Naturally, that doesn't sit well, but perhaps, a fresh perspective is what is needed.Enjoyable! I look forward to reading the next book in the Dove Pond series, and learning about more characters and their lives.
    • 3/5
      This book doesn't seemed to be well titled, IMO. Yes, there is a character, Sarah Dove, who talks with books, however, she is not the main character. This story centers around Grace Wheeler who moves to Dove Pond with her orphaned niece and her former foster mother, Mama G, who has developed dementia. Grace has taken on the job of town clerk which has duties that she is not interested in undertaking. She only wants to make life easier for Mama G for the time that she has left. But because everyone in town believes that Grace is necessary to save the town from financial ruin, trickery and manipulation are involved in making her stay.The segments that are related to Mama G's dementia and its effects were well-written and moving, however, the sections which were related to Grace as a mother to her niece and her interactions with the other town folk lack depth that would have made this a great book, now it is only pretty good. I wonder what will come in the future for the residents of Dove Pond.
    • 5/5
      The Book Charmer by Karen Hawkins is a 2019 Gallery Books publication. Offbeat and Amusing! This fanciful romance is a lovely gift for book lovers! Dove Pond librarian, Sarah Dover has a special knack for picking out just the right book for her patrons. When Grace Wheeler moves to Dove Pond, it is only on a temporary basis. Sarah, though, is convinced Grace is the person who will save Dove Pond from financial ruin. Sarah is determined to make a Grace a permanent resident.Grace proves to be a little more stubborn than Sarah bargained for, though...I’ve read a few of Karen Hawkins’ delightful historical romance novels over the years, but I must say, I think Hawkins has one-upped herself with this one! This is an adorable small -town romance, occasionally poignant and bittersweet, with just a splash of magic realism. The special books in Sarah's library are characters themselves and this element will especially enchant book lovers! Overall, wonderful feel-good kind of story anyone can enjoy!!
    • 3/5
      The title hooked me. Perfectly pleasant start of series - but felt like a girl's book for women. Dove Pond, NC and particularly the Dove family has a little bit of magic. Sarah Dove is the 7th daughter of a 7th daughter so that's extra special - and Sarah's "talent" is that books speak to her. - Beginning on her 7th birthday, the archive journal of Dove Pond history orders Sarah to take it home. Intent on reading about dragons, Sarah refuses, but eventually the book ends up in her hands and she becomes privy to the history of Dove Pond and also the only one aware of who will save the town 20 years later when it is on its last small-town legs. Enter Grace Wheeler whose life story has had a completely different trajectory...she is the product of foster care and moves to town with her foster mother, Mama G. who is suffering from Alzheimers and her niece Daisy. Grace's sister Hannah died of a drug-related accident, so Grace is Daisy's legal guardian and the trio moves to Dove Pond in the hopes of settling Mrs. G's long ago memories of the town. Grace, who had been thriving in financial management in Charlotte becomes the town clerk. She quickly realizes the town is near bankruptcy and to Sarah, this is the sign that Grace will save them. However, in her intense work mode and her stress being a 'sandwich' caregiver, Grace has not really fit in or tried to make friends in Dove Pond. For her, it is a short-term stay and she is not looking to put down roots. That all changes when she leads the Apple Festival and needs the help and support of the town to pull it off - and to manage her family life too. Her hunky neighbor Trav Parker helps to convince her to stay too once he lets down his gruff wounded veteran guard thanks to Mrs. G and Daisy. Yay! Happy ending. Though it is worth seeing how they get there.
    • 3/5
      This book is pretty far off of my wheelhouse. In spite of that, I really enjoyed it. It has a little bit of everything in it — a little fantasy, friendship, family, a love interest, and a devastating illness, and other tragedies that forever scar a family, and all set in a charming little town called Dove Pond not far from Charlotte, North Carolina. This is the first in a new series, so that is comforting because I want to read more about Grace, Sarah, Mama G, Daisy and the other wonderful people in this small town. When Grace and her small family consisting of her, and of her foster mother and her sister's 8 year old daughter arrive in Dove Pond, they are coming back to Mama G's home in order to help her spend her last days in the town where she grew up. Grace's sister Hannah has recently died, leaving her 8 year old daughter for Grace and Mama G to raise. Grace leaves her high paying, high profile job in finance in Charlotte and moves her family to a place where she hopes they will all find solace. She lands a job as town clerk at a much lower salary than the job she left, but she plans to give it one year and then move on with her big city career. What she finds in Dove Pond changes the lives of all three of them. Grace has always been a loner in her life but she finds true friendship and even a romantic interest in Dove Pond. I loved watching this story unfold. Sarah's book charming skills are the delightful glue that holds the plot together. I look forward to reading the next one in this series when it is published.
    • 4/5
      Dove Pond is a town with a problem, Grace is the solution. She has been looking for a home for herself and her family. The Dove family has gifts that will help solve both sets of problems. Dove Pond is populated with the kind of people you would want as neighbors.