I loved everything about this magical little novel! It’s a heart warming, feel good story that’s the perfect comfort read. Highly recommended!

This book was completely enchanting! I didn't really like magical realism before reading this book and after reading this I read everything else Heather Webber has written! I highly recommend this book to just about everyone!

This is a gorgeous little story, you will fall in love with the characters and the setting, and the ending will leave you with a very cozy and happy feeling. The cover is very bright and pulls you in and matches the story perfectly. I had a lot of fun reading this book!

Delightful story about love, family and forgiveness, with a touch of magical realism. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

While I can handle some magical realism in a book, this particular one did not appeal to me. The story is a little too syrupy sweet and was too predictable. The magic focus was too intense instead of just being a nice addition to an interesting story. There was little depth and the similarities to the author’s previous book, Midnight at the Blackbird Café, were too much. Same verse same as the first…just a different setting and a few tweaks.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forge Books for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge for the opportunity to review this book!

I enjoyed it so much. I absolutely love Heather Webber's writing!

This book had all of the heart I imagined, but it was even better than I expected. It reminded me a bit of Como Agua Para Chocolate and books by Sarah Addison Allen with the magical realism. I love when books include that, but I don’t think it happens often enough. I loved the small town feel of the story and that it was so centered on family. Things that are ultimately revealed weren’t what I was expecting, but it was so good! If you want a book that will touch your heart, then definitely read this one! I think it will stay with me for a long time.

Heather Webber has a knack for pulling readers in and giving them this sense of belonging within the story. You feel connected to these characters and by the end you’ve honestly found friendships within each of them.

Initial Thoughts/Expectations:

I had just finished reading MIDNIGHT AT THE BLACKBIRD CAFÉ, and was having a bit of a “book hangover” when I started this one. (I loved that book!) What I really wanted was something with the same magical flow, hopefully a little bit lighter, and every bit as engaging.

What I Loved:

I love Heather Webber’s way of creating family. Close-knit, or estranged, or oops!surprise… she just knows how to put people in each other’s hearts. Sometimes it may take a while, but when it happens, it’s for good. And along the way, she puts them in our hearts, too. That’s exactly what happens when Blue Bishop finds a baby at the foot of the Buttonwood Tree, and begins her journey into a family history, and future, that she could have never imagined.

Blue’s ability to find things and deliver them to the people who need them most is a comforting character trait to magical realism lovers. It’s not necessarily unique to the genre, but it’s always a fun addition to the story. Other characters in the town have their own quirks and abilities… all lending themselves to enriching the story, without being obvious or overpowering.

The ensemble in this book is just incredible. The friends “going to bat” for Blue, and those folk who’s prejudices show… they’re all adding layers to the story of the town. I’m especially fond of Marlo, myself, and I think you’ll all love her, too. There are several characters in this book with unanswered questions or misunderstandings in their past. Things that have caused pain for years. Heather’s way of unravelling those threads, and sewing up the seams is just, well… magical. By the end, the secrets have all come out, and the healing has begun, but there’s a whole crazy rollercoaster on the way!

I did find the romances in this story so very sweet, and absolutely right in the scheme of things. When it was all said and done, the loves lost... and loves found... were really the foundation of this story. I loved how they seemed to come full circle and lay the groundwork for what's to come.

What I Didn’t Love:

Not Heather’s fault, or the story’s fault… but I was really hoping for something a little lighter. This book was AMAZING for the story it told, but it was sometimes intense and a bit weighty. I loved it, but I would have liked to laugh a little more. Unfortunately for me, that just wouldn’t have done this story justice.

Final Thoughts/Recommendations:

Another absolute triumph for Heather Webber, in my opinion. She created a place I’d love to visit, and characters I’d love to watch a movie in the park with. (It’s a thing… read the book… <3) If family drama, self-discovery, and a few helpful nudges from the local wishing tree is your thing, then you’ll absolutely love SOUTH OF THE BUTTONWOOD TREE.

Sweet, charming. The right mix of good characters and interesting story. I really enjoyed this book. When I can identify with a character that always spells a winner to me and this book had that in spades!

Heather Webber's South of the Buttonwood Tree was absolutely wonderful! I love magical realism and have greatly enjoyed not only this book of hers, but her earlier Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe.

Some interesting topics were touched on in this book and the characters and setting were very well done. There were people I wanted to meet and I'd definitely love to visit the village that this book was set in.

Another amazing book from Heather Webber. I would read anything she writes! Magical, transformative, emotional and so great!

I really liked this one! Having a little dash of fantasy mixed in with my women's fiction made this a fantastical read 😻

The twists were genuine surprises, not scenarios I already saw coming and that's something I really appreciate in a book. I loved all the characters. It's definitely going down in history as a 5 star read!

Thanks netgalley for giving me the pdf so I can share my thoughts and opinions with y'all 🧡

This book is amazing!!! I couldn't put it down. Heather Webber's writing draws the reader in and doesn't let go. The characters feel like friends that you would love to have. They feel so real and have real life problems and emotions that you can relate to. The small town of Buttonwood, Alabama sounds delightful. I felt a range of emotions while reading this book and was brought to tears a few times. There were several twists and turns that I didn't see coming and loved the magic of the story. I can't wait to read the next book by this talented author.

I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I absolutely love Heather Webber and knew this book wouldn't disappoint me. If you love Sarah Addison Allen - this is the perfect book for you. It was such a wonderful read, full of magic, charm and an interesting back story. I was hooked from page one and couldn't put it down. I highly recommend this story!

Thank you to Netgalley and Heather Webber for my copy of South of the Buttonwood Tree, for an honest review. I am so happy I got to read this story. It really warmed my heart. Blue Bishop, lives in Buttonwood, Alabama. She seems to have a sense for finding most things. The Buttonwood tree, in the forest is know to all as a place to leave a question and the next day come back and find an answer. Everyone in town, seems to know the magic of the tree and passes by it. Blue’s family history is troubled at best. She seems to be the best thing to come from this family and yet she is still an optimist. She still sees the good in the world and has made a nice love for herself despite her family’s background. One day when walking past the tree, Blue finds a newborn baby, with a button attached to her blanket that said please give to Blue Bishop. Once the news gets out in town, it seems the baby’s wellbeing is going to be debated by its people. Sarah Grace comes from an upstanding family is Buttonwood. Her friendship has always made her mother angry. The baby, is the catalyst that sets the town spinning, secrets being found out and hearts being broken and mended. I fell in love with Blue, this charming southern town and the residents in it. It was such a well written story. It was a quick read but I didn’t want it to end. This was my first read by Webber and it won’t be my last. Her use of a tree as a character and her development of the town and residents was great. When the judge, the police (looking for the birth mother) and all the residents have something to say about Blue and the baby, makes for such a great read. I am so glad I was able to read this story. I have recommended to friends and family. I have also shared this on my Instagram page. I hope you put this on your TBR, you won’t be disappointed. Please see my review on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan- Forge Publishing for proving me with this eARC of South of the Buttonwood Tree! This is the second book I have read by Heather Webber and I must say that I have quickly become a fan. South of the Buttonwood is a magical southern charm book filled with history and family secrets. It was a fun and short read for me and I would highly recommend others to pick this one up!

This will be one of my favorite books of 2020. I loved the blend of magical realism, the sense of place of Buttonwood, AL, and the characters' stories. Blue Bishop has always had the gift of listening to the wind and finding lost things. And one day she finds a baby and wants desperately to keep that baby. Sarah Grace has her own gift that she has kept secret. That's not her only secret. Additionally, the town has kept secrets that will impact both of these women.

Blue finding the baby sets in motion a series of events that impacts the community and how people behave towards each other. Ultimately it causes many to question both themselves and others.

This was a lovely book. Sarah and Blue both have to learn to trust themselves and their own worth in order to figure out what they should do next as they each face challenges. I love this theme, and found it especially engaging when combined with the elements of magical realism and community.

Thanks t0 NetGalley and Forge Books for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

South of the Buttonwood Tree is undoubtedly one of the best books I have read this year. In this book, Heather Webber takes her readers for a plunge into the world of magical realism. Blue Bishop is adept at finding lost things because the wind whispers all kinds of secrets to her. When she finds an abandoned baby under the Buttonwood Tree and decides to keep it following the Tree’s instructions, trouble starts brewing. What if the adoption agency deems her unsuitable for being a single parent? What is the identity of the child? Is Persy, her sister, hiding some secrets? What will happen to the bookstore once Moe, the owner, succumbs to dementia? Will Marlo’s magical abilities be enough to heal him?

I loved everything about this book, including the genre, the plot, the characters, and the messages it conveyed. The storyline was smooth and easy-flowing. As the story progressed, it revealed several long-kept secrets that would take the reader by surprise. The characters are probably the most valuable assets of the book. I rooted for Blue and Sarah Grace and wished them a happy ending. I wanted Marlo to be strong enough to heal everyone in need of her magical assistance. Even the not-so-pleasant characters garnered my sympathy once I understood their stories.

The tale, although saddening in some parts, warmed my heart. Webber highlights the fact that a family does not necessarily require blood relations; love is the glue that holds a family together. The story teaches us how important it is to forgive our past mistakes. It urges us to be a little less selfish and a lot more loving. The book has a feel-good vibe that will uplift the reader’s mood. I would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who loves a cozy, relaxing read.

There is something very soft about this book. Despite the razor edges of some of the problems our protagonists face, there is a cushion of magic thrown to catch them. I do not use the word magic as symbolic but directly pointing to the magical realism woven into the narrative. The extent to which the tale depends on the magic of the town is hard to put into words. I would not recommend this to those people who like just plain realism in their story.
The Bishop family has had it tough for several years. They began as a big, boisterous local family but ended up decimated and left destitute till the remaining two girls turned things around.
Each chapter begins with one or the other person voicing their own views about whether or not Blue Bishop should be allowed custody of a foundling. They made me tearier eyed the further into the book I dove. I wept freely for the revelation chapter.
I read this a few days before the writing of this review, but the calm that the book left me in is still just a feeling away. The writing was smooth and glided through introducing us to all the eccentric characters, none more so than the Buttonwood tree. I read this book at just the right time, and it energized me into restarting reading binges. There is a heavy dose of romance and familial bonding thrown in, and none of it made me cringe! I highly recommend this to anyone on the lookout for a comfortably great read.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.