Nothing Less Than Magic is a cosy story of a woman’s search for purpose with a touch of romance, mystery and magical realism.

The meandering pace of the story feels relaxing but there’s a funny feeling of something behind just a bit off, creating an undercurrent of tension. The author did a wonderful job of placing readers in Chelsea’s perspective, and you could feel to pull from heartwarming, to unsure, to bordering creepy. I was hooked from the start, and whilst there is the thread of uncertainty, and some heavy themes, there was still a feeling of comfort and lower stakes - hallmark vibes.

I thought the author’s writing was beautiful and engaging, and I especially loved escaping to Ghost with Chelsea. The end of the book felt very quick, and while satisfying, I would love to see a sequel following up Chelsea and the other characters we came to know so well. Overall, I’d highly recommend to anyone looking for a cosy, gentle, intriguing and heartwarming read with small town vibes.

Thank you Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for this book. Opinions expressed are my own.

I first discovered this author through her Contemporary Romance books, and her last two books are Women’s Fiction, and so far, I love these books. Chelsea Knight is a former marriage counselor turned relationship guru (Ted talks, lectures, books). A year ago, her husband Austin, abruptly decided he wanted a divorce. The book starts with Chelsea meeting with her husband anticipating that he will ask to reconcile, but he announces that he is engaged instead. Chelsea runs out of the restaurant and right into a cable car. The rest of the story is all about recovering from both physical and emotional trauma. I don’t want to give many spoilers, but there are some twists that you don’t expect, and I loved it. I had a hard time putting this book down and cannot wait for the next book by Stacy Finz. I received an arc of this book from the publisher for my honest review.

This was a good, sweet book. I really enjoyed it. It had elements I didn't quite expect, in a good way though. This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I go back and read more.

Just one year ago, Chelsea Knight was living the life she’d always wanted. Marriage to the perfect guy, a thriving career, and a gorgeous condo overlooking San Francisco Bay. Then out of nowhere, her husband, Austin, left her. Ironic, because Chelsea fixes marriages for a living. In fact, she’s famous for her techniques. Naturally, she’s been using her expertise to win back her ex—and when he invites her for drinks, she’s sure her work has finally paid off. Until he announces he’s engaged.

Devastated, Chelsea seeks refuge in the beloved small-town lake cabin she and Austin now take turns using. When she arrives, the streets are dazzlingly decked out for Halloween, the autumn leaves are exceptionally vibrant, and the locals are especially warm and welcoming. It’s downright magical—and so is Knox Hart, a talented jack-of-all-trades who’s fixing her roof. Chelsea is instantly drawn to him—and to the simplicity of country life. Slowly, she becomes immersed in the townspeople’s problems and finds a sense of belonging—leading her to reevaluate her own path . . .

But something about the idyllic hamlet—and Knox—seems too good to be true. A trick more than a treat. And when she ultimately learns the truth, her heart is shattered. Miraculously, Austin is there to mend it. It’s everything she’d hoped for. Or is it? On the cusp of making all her dreams come true, Chelsea must find the strength to make an impossible choice . . .




I have posted the blurb because, really, this is a hard book to review. I can tell you, it didn't work for me. Why? Well, it's hard to say without significant spoilers. But I'll try.

When we first encounter our heroine, Chelsea Knight, she is waiting in the bar at Top of the Mark in San Francisco for Austin, the love of her life and, currently, her ex-husband. Chelsea is sure Austin is meeting her to propose they reconcile--despite his suddenly walking out on her a year ago, they've stayed close. He texts her daily, drops by, and the last time she saw him, they made love. So she's first shocked and then furious when he tells her he's engaged. Chelsea storms out of the hotel and BOOM! is hit by a cable car. 

Next--in the beginning of Chapter Two--Chelsea is napping in a hammock on the deck on the house she and Austin own in a small Northern California lake town called Ghost. She's gone there for two weeks to recuperate from her accident--which left her relatively unscathed--and is happily taking a much needed break from her very successful career as a marriage counselor turned motivational speaker. She's awakened from the aforementioned nap by a large, tall man whom she doesn't know--although he looks vaguely familiar--named Knox who tells her he's there to work on the roof. She's never met Knox before although he tells her he's been working around the cabin for the past three years. Chelsea is a bit disoriented but, hey, she was hit by a cable car! It's normal that her memory is a bit shaky, right? 

It's not just Knox Chelsea is a bit confused by. Despite having owned the cabin for the past six years, Chelsea finds much of what she encounters in Ghost to be, for lack of a better word, new. When she goes to the small downtown, people seem to know--and like--her though she has no memory of any of them. But, again, HIT BY A CABLE CAR. It will all come back to her, right? 

Nothing Less Than Magic is a tripart novel although Part Three is very short. Part One takes place over the two weeks Chelsea is in Ghost recovering. There, she spends a lot of time hanging out with Knox--did I mention he's kind, gorgeous, a biophysicist as well as a handyman, and single? She goes regularly to the local bar--the bartender is Knox's younger sister Katie who becomes Chelsea's friend, and finds herself, surprisingly, doing much of nothing. All this free time gives her space to think about her life and what she truly wants. At the top of that list is improving her very strained relationship with her sister Lolly.

Lolly and Chelsea barely speak--Chelsea thinks it's because, after a huge tragedy in their youth (and boy, is it a doozy--see the spoiler/content warning below), Chelsea abandoned Lolly to go to boarding school. Chelsea misses Lolly terribly and is determined to fix whatever went wrong between her and her sister.

Next on the list is maybe possibly abandoning her very successful career as an author and speaker because, deep down, she thinks it's a bit of a sham. At the very least, it's nothing like what she used to do when she saw patients and before she took up selling calendars with motivational quotes at the top of each month.

And, of course, she ponders the problem of Austin whom, after the accident, has called her constantly and seems to want her back. Does she want him back? Or, maybe, is Knox the man for her? 

In Part Two, at one point, Chelsea quotes American author and screenwriter Jim Thompson:

There is only one plot--things are not what they seem.

This is, of course, true of Part One of Nothing Less Than Magic. To say this is a spoiler of sorts but Finz deliberately sows doubt throughout the first 65% of the book. In Part Two, Chelsea's perspective is very different than it is in Part One. And while she is still trying to figure out her relationship with Lolly, her job, and what she wants from Austin, she is doing so from a different place than she was in Part One. (The book is a first person narrative.)

The best part of this book is the relationship between Lolly and Chelsea. Their barbed, intricate sistership is one of pain, love, and missed chances. Every scene between the two is riveting--if the book had just been a novel about the two of them, I'd have been happy. 

Instead, much of the story is a romance--although, technically, I'm not sure it qualifies as such. And, as a romance, it wasn't for me. Knox is too good to be true so of course he's the man of Chelsea's dreams. Austin, for his part, is a very flawed real man. I liked him better than picture perfect Knox. For many romance readers though, I suspect this book will work. If you believe that, in a romance novel at least, true love should be nothing less than magic, Finz's resolution will warm your heart.

My biggest problem, though, is that the story, on a fundamental level, doesn't make sense. In Nothing Less Than Magic, Finz shoots for the stars with only a magic carpet to propel her plot. I'd have preferred less woo woo and more physics. 

Many readers will love this book. Chelsea is a great lead, the dialogue is often perfect, and, as I read, I really wanted to know everything would turn out. Nothing Less Than Magic isn't my jam but for those who like feel good, whimsical women's fiction, it might be, well, magical.

[su_spoiler title="Content Warning" icon="caret-square"]When Chelsea and Lolly were girls, their father shot and killed their mother and himself after their mom threatened to leave their dad over his infidelity. The girls were home at the time.[/su_spoiler]

The twist in the book is one that I’m not generally a fan of. However, I did enjoy the setting of the bulk of the book (Ghost). The pacing was a bit slow for me with just a hint of closure at the end… I wanted more of that!

Great premise but unfortunately the writing, character development and plot don’t live up to the premise. A huge disappointment.

if you like hallmark movies and mouth-dropping twists, nothing less than magic is the book for you. i really enjoyed the first half of the book but the second half really had me confused on where the storyline was heading. part 3/the ending was questionable, but i did like the vibes nonetheless. a good reading choice for summer 2024!

thank you stacy finz & netgalley for the ARC!

Chelsea was living her best life and had everything she wanted. Then out of nowhere her husband tells her he wants a divorce. The irony of the whole thing is, shes a marriage therapist. So, she tries to get him back and just when she thinks its working, he announces he’s engaged.

Chelsea takes refuge in the small-town lake cabin she and her ex share and tries to get on with her life.

There’s just something so idyllic about the town and then she meets Knox and he’s perfect too. But maybe sometimes things are too good to be true.


I think that I went into this book expecting it to be like a different book because that is what someone compared it too. This gave me really high expectations because I loved that book. This book is broken into three parts. Part 1 was alright, though it felt a little out there in some regards, however I was willing to go with it because I really wanted this book to work. It felt like a hallmark movie, and I was lapping it up. I love romcoms and I was hoping for that so hard. Part 2 came along and well, my feelings towards this book really shifted and things started going way south. Like then it kept going and so did my feelings. Then Part 3 didn’t help, and I really just hated it. This ending was worse the worst type of ending for me. I know some people out there love books where they can make it all up in their minds, but I don’t. I needed something and what I got wasn’t enough. While I think that this book could have been a lot of fun, I didn’t appreciate how the author went about it.

Chelsea is meeting her ex husband at a fancy restaurant in San Francisco where she suspects he's going to ask to get back together again. She can't wait to get her life back on track. Instead, he tells her he's engaged. She leaves in a hurry and gets hit in the head by a cable car. She decides to recuperate at their cabin in the woods and meets the handyman. This is the story of her recovery.

Chelsea is on quite the journey here. And it’s one she feels is…off. Does she know these people? Is she losing her mind? Does her ex deserve a second chance? And then just as she thinks she’s piecing it all together, she’s yanked out of the life she thinks she wants and is plopped into a reality that feels utterly wrong for her now.

The clues are there all along. This is a bit of a mind f***, I won’t lie. But it’s wonderfully done and I have to love Chelsea’s determination to figure things out. She and her sister have time for a better relationship. She and her assistant have the ability to make life what they want it to be. And her ex? Well, he’s got some ideas on how to move forward also. But Chelsea needs to know herself and what she truly wants first and foremost. I absolutely love how she finds her path, alters course as needed, and sticks to her true wishes for life. Sometimes, you definitely need to feel a little lost before you’re found, as Chelsea does in a spectacular manner.

Well, I was really excited about this book but ended up being a bit disappointed. There was a lot of build-up for the ending to fall flat. The author missed the opportunity to be a little more creative in tying up the ending because I felt it didn't do the story justice. Also, I felt the title tie-in was a bit cheesy. The explanation in Part 2 of what actually happened in Part 1 was unexpected although you could tell something was going on, but I feel the author could have dug in a little deeper so both parts could feel more connected.

I really enjoyed the lead-up to the climax of the story, but unfortunately, part 2 just killed that for me, so this is getting 2.5 stars rounded up to 3.

Stacy Finz is one of my go to authors, but I wasn’t able to give this book a 5 star rating. I don’t read book descriptions before I request them, but I go based on the author and genre. I noticed right away that the book is split up into 3 parts, but I struggled to get through Part One. I kept thinking to myself that it was disjointed and unrealistic but a lot of those concerns were cleared up in Part Two. The second part was unexpected with Chelsea getting back together with her ex husband, Austin, but Part Three had me wishing for Knox Hart. I am unfortunately still a bit confused as to how the story ended and feel like it’s going to take a reread straighten out the events in my mind.

Every time I start a book I try to think about why the author chose the title.
This one perplexed me for about 200 pages and then became so wonderfully clear that I could not help smiling and even did a little clap.

This books starts out with anything but magical moments. Chelsea Knight a marriage counselor big enough to have her own TED talks, finds herself being crushed by her ex husband, again.
Bolting from a restaurant she is hit by a trolley car, yes- this is the actual premise!

She's ok, besides a crushed heart and a mild concussion, Chelsea decides to take a vacation at their country cabin and detach from reality some.
What she finds is the little town Ghost is exactly what she needs to fall in love with life again.

Now, what I love is that all the above never really explained the title choice. At least that is what I was thinking as I entered part 2 of the book. Be prepared, there is some magic coming...

This books is just perfect, and while I do believe it is very similar to "Wish you Were Here" by Jodi Picoult, this one touched my heart in a way the previous title could not.

Perfect for anyone wondering if they are settling in life, it might be just what you need to make a big change in your life.

First thank you so much to Net galley for a copy of this book! This was definitely super interesting and the spin was unexpected. But I had a hard time connecting with the main character and it reminded me so much of a Hallmark movie, chick - lit. If this is your type of read you may enjoy this!

This book is written in 3 parts and for good reason. Each section brings out feelings in a different way. So be prepared to feel with this book. The first part will feel cozy with some romantic vibes. However, it also has an ominous vibe. You will come up with many theories as to what is happening. I both didn't want to continue and couldn't stop reading. Then part 2 comes with the revelation. And the feels get big here. Anything I say about why would be a spoiler, so I'll just say, prepare to have many strong feelings. In the second part I found myself rooting for her to seek happiness and hoping in some way that something magical can occur and make all well again. Then we get to the itty bitty part 3. Magic!

I absolutely recommend this book, but know it will not be a light and easy romance. But the ending is worth it!

I received a complimentary copy of this book "Nothing Less than Magic" and all opinions expressed are my own. I saw magic in the title, I enjoy magical realism. First time reading by the author, Stacy Finz. I did enjoy reading the story about Chelsea and what was going to happen to her. I loved the part with Knox, thought she had finally found her person. Overall, good book!

This novel wraps you up in a cozy blanket of magical realism, where the protagonist Chelsea's journey of self-discovery is as captivating as the colorful fall setting of the small town of Ghost. The story is engaging, with little clues sprinkled throughout that keep you guessing until the big reveal. Chelsea's evolution, from a renowned relationship therapist to a woman questioning her own life choices, is portrayed with depth and sensitivity. The budding romance with Knox Hart adds a sweet note to the narrative, while the town's enchanting atmosphere and quirky residents enrich the story. This book is a charming read that encourages reflection on life's unexpected turns and the courage to embrace new beginnings.

It is a challenge to give a solid review of this novel without delving into specifics that would clearly be labeled spoilers; therefore, I will stick to generalities in praising this book. I found myself immediately drawn into the storyline and was impressed with the ingenuity of the twist revealed in Part Two.

Chelsea Knight is a well-known relationship therapist and motivational speaker with several popular books to her credit. In fact, her life as a whole reflects success – a strong marriage, an apartment with a view, and a thriving business. And then it all implodes, and she escapes to her vacation cabin in the town of Ghost near Sacramento to gain perspective and determine how she wants to navigate her future.

Since magical realism is one of my favorite genres, I enjoyed the story on multiple levels. As Chelsea examines her life, she comes to a deeper understanding of how the tragic loss of her parents and her unresolved grief has influenced her career, her marriage, and her family (dis)connections. On this level, the focus is on new choices leading to new opportunities. I also enjoyed the fledgling romance between Chelsea and Knox Hart, the biophysicist/handyman. The legend and the evocative descriptions of the town and its residents added depth and color to the trajectory of the story. All this fostered a sense of magic unfolding in Chelsea’s life. The one aspect I did not care for was the portrayal of Chelsea’s sister who came across as petty in her discontent with her life, blaming Chelsea for much of it.

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This review is being posted immediately to my GoodReads account and will be posted on Amazon upon publication.

I got to read this book for free through Net Galley. I enjoyed this book. The first half of the book I had a lot of questions. Chelsea gets hit by a car and then the next chapter has her waking up in her cabin. I was confused and wanted to know who was at her side. Knox was my favorite character during Part One. I was surprised to learn in Part Two that she was in a 2-week coma and the life she was living was her hallucinations. I was glad with the ending and that she didn't settle, although I did predict it. A very fun read for me.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️From Kensington Publishing : Just one year ago, Chelsea Knight was living the life she’d always wanted. Marriage to the perfect guy, a thriving career, and a gorgeous condo. Then out of nowhere, her husband, Austin, left her.

Devastated, Chelsea seeks refuge in the beloved small-town lake cabin she and Austin now take turns using. When she arrives, the streets are dazzlingly decked out for Halloween. It’s downright magical—and so is Knox Hart, a talented jack-of-all-trades who’s fixing her roof. Chelsea is instantly drawn to him.

But something about the idyllic hamlet—and Knox—seems too good to be true. A trick more than a treat. And when she ultimately learns the truth, her heart is shattered. Miraculously, Austin is there to mend it.
*************************
My review: I knew something was going on in this novel that had to be figured out, by Chelsea and me. Little clues here and there, it took a minute. I was interested to see how it would turn out and by the time the magic was revealed I had figured it out. Much like Chelsea, I was disappointed when I found out what was really happening.

People make mistakes and some mistakes are worth forgiving. Some are more difficult to get past and Chelsea has to decide which pertains to Austin's "mistake". I was kept wondering until the very end. It wrapped up pretty quickly and neatly and I would have liked more about Chelsea's sister. But overall a fun read. And now I guess I would like to have a cabin in a small, friendly town.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for an advance digital copy in exchange for my review.