This book gave me tons of Practical magic vibes!! A small town, a history of magic, dark secrets, second chances and a malevolent presence that is threatening to overturn the well-being of people's lives. This book is twisty and has something for everybody - from romance, suspense and a few thrills too. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review! Plus WOW, is the cover for this book stunningly beautiful!!!

🍂 I'm starting to get in the mood for fall, and "In the Shadow Garden" by Liz Parker was a great start to the season for me! 4.5 ⭐

🌿 Addison Haywood lives in a bourbon town in Kentucky with her mother and grandmother. They practice plant magic (although Addison has never grown into hers) by pouring the townspeople's sorrows into their "shadow garden." Think fruits, veggies, and herbs in shades of black and gray. Eating from the garden amplifies your emotions; the women also read auras and tea leaves.

🥃 The Haywoods are bitter rivals with the Bonners, who make the town's bourbon with corn that originally came from the shadow garden. The town is thrown into chaos when a long lost Bonner brother returns to town and the two families must examine their connections.

🌽 I like plants and I love bourbon. Practical magic has always been fun to read about for me, and as a fellow empath, I related to the Haywoods a lot. I thought the book was really well-paced and I liked that we got multiple perspectives across multiple times. The twists and turns got a little muddled for me at the end, but maybe I was just sleepy 😂 Overall, I really enjoyed the descriptions of the garden and how alive it felt, and both the plot and the characters were well-developed.

🍅 Did you grow any flowers, veggies, or herbs this summer?

⚠️ murder, grief, infidelity, emotional and physical abuse

This book was absolutely wonderful! Filled with magic, secrets, stolen memories, family, romance, and even murder, it is the perfect book for fall (and the other three seasons as well)!

I can't wait to see what Liz Parker has for us next.

Wow wow wow wow wow 😳

What a magical, beautiful, soul inspiring story!!!

Beautifully written and full of down home southern charm... I am so glad I read this. Talk about a book that takes hold and doesn't let go.

I don't typically like books told from multiple perspectives but this one does the job right.

Trigger warnings: child abuse, alcoholism, domestic violence, loss, death.

Well I binged this book. 😂 I was wanting a book full of magic and love and that’s exactly what Shadow Garden is all about.

When Kaden’s dad - an abusive man - dies, Kaden Bonner decides to go back home to Yarrow. He hasn’t been back in over 20 years, and somehow nobody can really remember him. Three generations of Haywood witches have rivaled and distrusted the Bonner family for years. But they miraculously trust Kaden.

The magic is acting up and the mystery behind it kept me turning the pages. A whole summer is missing from everyone’s minds. A Haywood dies. Kaden left. But what actually happened?

I loved the family dynamics. And the mystery. And the love. It made me feel all the things. The shadow garden was such an interesting concept. And I loved the incorporation of the nature and magic. It was just such a beautiful story.

Highly recommend for fans for witchy books, romance, family drama or mysteries because it has it all!

This beautiful, atmospheric book drew me in deep with its soulful vibes and intriguing story. It's as lush and enchanting as a garden, as rich and dream-spinning as a glass of bourbon. I loved the heartfelt magic and the masterfully wrought characters. IN THE SHADOW GARDEN is a gift for anyone who loves a mix of witchiness, mystery, and romance.

I love books that are themed around modern-day witches and magic realism in general, and this book sure fits the bill! We’ve got a family of women (the Haywoods) who can help someone heal by taking their bad feelings and transferring them to a magical garden (the shadow garden of the title). We’ve also got another family who has a bourbon distillery (the Bonners) in this Kentucky town. Somehow their bourbon, made from corn that originally came from the shadow garden, can make people totally forget a bad memory. Every year the town holds a festival where people offer up their worst memory - and the Bonner bourbon makes it go away! In fact, there’s a whole summer (1997) that no one can remember at all! What happened that summer is at the heart of the mystery in this book.

So… we’ve got a great set-up for an interesting story with overtones of a family feud on top of all the magic. There were a lot of characters to keep track of and that was hard at first (there’s a small diagram at the beginning of the people in the three main families, which was helpful). Eventually this wasn’t an issue.

Not only is the story enchanting (pun intended) but the cover is absolutely gorgeous. And each chapter has a lovely floral drawing too. Each chapter is told from the point of view of one of the main characters. My two favorite characters were Irene and Kaden.

Reading tea leaves was a big theme in the book and I found that aspect fascinating. (I’m a tea lover but have never had my tea leaves read!)

We will be spending some time in Kentucky in a couple of months and some bourbon tasting is definitely in our plans! I will be thinking about this book with every sip.

The idea of giving up your bad memories is an intriguing one, but I don’t think I’d want to do it. As the song by Garth Brooks (The Dance) says: “And now I'm glad I didn't know, The way it all would end, The way it all would go. Our lives are better left to chance. I could have missed the pain, But I'd have had to miss the dance.”

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Thanks to Forever Pub for the gifted copy.

In the Shadow Garden is what I would consider a perfect Fall read. It’s full of magic and mystery, really atmospheric and in a small town, follows the generational story of the town’s founding families, and has multiple romance storylines. My favorite characters were Kaden and Irene, whom I fell in love with instantly, but the whole cast is just wonderful. I loved the multiple POVs in this book and the way the flashbacks to the past were done. You’ll be sucked right in for a binge read trying to figure out what happened in the summer 20 years ago and rooting for what’s blossoming in the present.

I cannot recommend this enough! Family magic, secrets, romance, and small-town bourbon come together to create a whimsical, dark novel I couldn’t put down!

This gorgeous cover first drew me to this book and the storyline was just a magical! I loved the multiple POVs in this novel and the dual timelines. The themes of healing from trauma, following your passions, friendship, and family were really well done and the Haywood family dynamic was really special. I loved learning about the shadow garden, the tea shop, and Bonner’s bourbon. The history behind them and the process they followed to utilize their magic was really interesting. I also thought the glossary at the end with bourbon terms and tea-leaf symbols was a really cute touch and I learned a lot about these topics while reading!

I was so investing in trying to find out what happened during that summer twenty years prior and the flashbacks really brought so much to the story. I liked how the author led us to the reveal bit-by-bit, it was fun to piece it all together! My favorite characters were Irene and Kaden. I just loved their entangled history and how they healed together. My only complaint is that I wish we could have gotten more about the history of the magic and how it first manifested, but it didn’t take away from my enjoyment of this novel.

I loved the idea of this book and for the most part I really liked the story. I loved the magic and the garden. I loved that they read tea leaves. I wasn’t a fan of Addison or her love story. It felt rushed and unnatural. I did like the rest of the Bonner family but felt like there were way too many characters involved. The magic was interesting to learn about but the ending felt rushed and I was sort of hoping for more. Overall, I’d say it was a really imaginative story that kept me hooked. I think others will like it and suggest everyone check it out.

Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC.

I really, really enjoyed this book!  There is mystery, there is magic, there is family drama, and I loved it all!
Yarrow, Kentucky is home to the Haywood family, and I fell in love with this spunky, quirky, thoughtful group of witches right from the start.  Right away I felt like I was sitting with them at the table doing a tea leaf reading or day drinking some bourbon on the river.  Their relationships are complex and captivating and I loved the LGBTQ representation. Parker’s writing is so descriptive, coming from multiple points of view, with mystery that is perfectly woven until the very end.  Most of all, I really loved how the shadow garden represented healing from hardship while beautifully symbolizing the vulnerability and strength in that process.  

This book releases 9/6 and you’ll definitely love the witchey, lovey, mystery vibes and also some bourbon!  One I definitely recommend!

Thank you @ lizparkerwrites for writing. Shoutout to @readforeverpub and @netgalley for the arc!

This was a heart warming story about the love of family that was the combination of Practical Magic and Midnight at the Blackberry Cafe. For years the Bonners and the Hayward’s have never gotten along despite both families having their own brand of magic. Addison is one of the few in her family that doesn’t have control of her magic that resulted in her losing the love of her life and feeling like an outsider in her family. The book goes between the different characters allowing the reader to fall in love with them. This book left me feeling warm inside and it had enough of a twist that it kept me turning the pages until the very end.

Yarrow, Kentucky isn't just any ordinary southern town -- it's full of magic. The witches of the Haywood family ease the pain, grief, and sorrow of their community, feeding those feelings to their Shadow Garden, enabling it to grow beautifully and bountifully. Unfortunately, Addison, the youngest Haywood witch, can't control her magic like the rest of the Haywoods, instead taking too much sorrow from those she tries to help. Yarrow is also home to the Bonner family, rivals of the Haywoods, who seem to have magic all their own -- their bourbon, the best around, can completely wipe away a terrible memory once a year. All in all, Yarrow, Kentucky seems like a pretty picturesque place to be -- except nobody in town can remember that summer, 20 years ago, the summer that someone was murdered, and someone disappeared. And now, there's something wrong with the Shadow Garden -- the plants are wilting, the soil drying up. When a long-lost visitor returns to town, back again after leaving the same summer that everyone forgot, pieces begin falling into place. Will the town be able to remember all that was forgotten that summer?
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Y'all, when I tell you this book sucked me in, I really mean it. From the first page, I was enchanted with the charm of Yarrow; I could picture myself walking down the streets of town, popping into Lavender & Lemon Balm for a tea, smelling the smoky bourbon in the air. This story is told in multiple different POVs across a few separate timelines, but it was so easy to keep up with everything happening; it flowed like water and I wanted to keep floating. I love magical realism when it's done correctly, and this book does it SO right. The Haywoods can see the auras of others in the form of different flowers, each bloom representing a different emotion or feeling. They can use their magic to reach into the hearts of their patrons, loosening the roots of their sorrow, gently taking some of it away. I love that their garden, that gives back to the community through the delicious, unique produce it grows, is nourished by the sorrow of the community. There's something special about turning pain into something so beautiful.

I loved everything about this world and the characters that inhabit it. I honestly cannot believe this is a debut novel; you can tell how much love was poured into this story, and I really encourage anyone who wants a little magic in their life to pick it up when it releases.

I loved this story SO. MUCH. It has such a unique take on different family magics and I loved that the bourbon was used as a conduit for the Bonner family magic - bourbon is such a staple in so many households, especially throughout the South, and it would've especially been so in a town where the economy is based so much on the distillery! The descriptions of the garden and its feelings, needs, what the plants looked and smelled and tasted like, oh how wonderful! The stage-setting to bring readers up to speed in the Bonner/Haywood rivalries, the descriptions of the setting, the deep delve into everyone's feelings and thoughts... it just draws you right in till you're hooked.

I loved that it was just as much of a mystery to the Haywood family and everyone outside of the Bonners what had happened that fateful summer, along with those beautifully - written plot twists sprinkled throughout. 10/10, 5 stars, all of that!

"The richly atmospheric and luminous debut about three generations of women whose magic is as much a part of life as love, death, and the rich, dark earth beneath their feet - perfect for fans of Practical Magic and Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe.

There's something magical about Yarrow, Kentucky. The three empathic witches of the Haywood family are known for their shadow garden - from strawberries that taste like chocolate to cherry tomatoes imbued with the flavors of basil and oregano. Their magic can cure any heartache, and the fruits of their garden bring a special quality to the local bourbon distillery. On one day every year, a shot of Bonner bourbon will make your worst memory disappear. But the Haywoods will never forget the Bonners' bitter betrayal.

Twenty years ago, the town gave up more than one memory; they forgot an entire summer. One person died. One person disappeared. And no one has any recollection of either.

As events from that fateful summer start to come to light, there must be a reckoning between the rival Haywood and Bonner families. But untangling the deep roots of this town's terrible secrets will expose more than they could ever imagine about love, treachery, and the true nature of their power."

Practical Magic please!

I'm not sure where to begin with this one except to say that I loved it! I love stories that have a little speculative magic in them and this one really fit the mood that I was in. This story follows three generations of Haywood family who tend to the town's shadow garden where its produce can help cure different ailments. It also supplies some of the ingredients for the town's locally made bourbon which if drank on a certain day of the year can erase your worst memory and 20 years ago an entire summer was forgot by everyone in the town. Now the secrets are finally starting to be revealed and the people of the town may not ever be the same. I loved this story of family and friendships, it was filled with so much love. If you enjoy light magic in your contemporary reads about family than I would highly recommend this one! Thank you Forever Publishing for my gifted copy for review! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

ARC BOOK REVIEW

In the Shadow Garden
by Liz Parker

Publishing date: 9/13/2022

Rating: ⭐️⭐️/5

Yarrow, Kentuky is a magical place. It's a town home to the best bourbon, made by the Bonner Family- this bourbon even removes your worst memory once a year. Yarrow also introduces us to the Haywood Family, who have the ability to take away your pain, grief and trauma, where it then gets deposited into the Shadow Garden. This garden isn't your typical garden- sure it grows tomatoes and herbs, but its fed and nourished by those  terrible feelings people ask  the Haywoods to strip them of.

20 years ago, a tragedy stuck Yarrow. Instead of just one memory being purged  as usual, the entire summer is erased from EVERYONES memory. There was even a murder and a dissapearence.

But when Irene Haywood reads her tea leaves, it shows that a visitor is returning to Yarrow.....will this visitor help everyone " remember" what happened 20 year ago?

Review:
This unfortunately wasn't a favorite for me. I think my problem was due to the pluthera of characters that I was unable to keep straight. This isn't a issue i usually have, but when I don't connect to the characters,  it's hard for me to remember who each person is and their role to the plot.

Since I wasn't able to keep with up the characters, it made the story difficult to follow because each chapter followed a different character.

It was a very interesting plot that I think a LOT of people will love. I was super into the description and pumped to read it, but it didn't suck me in- which is okay because we all have different palettes!

Thank you to @netgalley and @readforeverpub for the Arc!

Ok, first let’s talk about the fact that this is a debut. I am still in awe about this because the story is impeccable. This is an insane debut that reads like it's from a seasoned author. It’s an expertly crafted experience you are sure to savor.

I don’t read contemporary. It’s just not my thing, so I tend to stay away from fantasy books with contemporary vibes. With that in mind, I was a little skeptical going into this one and not sure what to expect. I didn’t have my hopes up for a five-star read. But man if this one didn’t prove me wrong! This is one of the few exceptions to my typical reading habits because I absolutely loved it.

The darker themes and heavier concepts that are explored make this story feel so real. It’s some real life shit y’all, and you’re going to feel every minute of it while you’re reading.

The magic system in this book is full of interesting sensory elements. The Haywood family can see people’s emotions and auras as different types of flowers. Colors and emotions converge to create a visually tangible experience. You’ll be hooked into the magic of it all and wishing you could get your own tea leaves read by the Haywood women.

From the start there is a creeping tension that drives our need for answers. Out of the shady circumstances blooms light-hearted romances. I was sucked into the drama and the intrigue, flat-out hooked, and I couldn’t get enough.

When I say that this story is brilliantly intricate, I truly mean it. There are multiple plot lines, perspectives, and timelines. And yet, even though that sounds like it might get convoluted, it couldn’t be more the opposite.

The flow is incredibly seamless through the events and transitions. Never once did I feel pulled out of the story world because of a jarring switch. It was a smooth ride and I was strapped in for the whole thing.

I’m glad there was a chart at the beginning of the book to show the family lineages because that definitely saved me from any confusion. This is the one aspect I needed a little help keeping track of. There are a lot of relationships (both past and present) to keep up with. And I think this added to the depth of the plot because it really spoke to the small-town theme in the story.

Again, I’m truly shocked this is a debut. You can tell this author put some seriously hard work into this story and it really shines. Just wow. This is an accomplishment to be proud of for sure. This story deserves all the hype and I can’t wait to help share the word about how good this book is.

Also, this cover is absolutely stunning! Props to the designer for creating such an accurate depiction of both the feel and content in this story.

I recommend this book to readers who love:
Strong family bonds
Witchy magic
Sinister mysteries
Multiple POV
Contemporary fantasy
Drama and intrigue
Being one with nature
Light-hearted romance
Emotional traumas and recoveries

An excellent, slow-boil of a book that unfolds into a plot that was more well-realized than I expected. I enjoyed the story being told, though I struggled to connect to the characters until later in the read.