I found this to be just ok. It was slow moving and took me a while to finish it. The big event that the plot was moving towards, just kind of happened in a few sentences with the main characters not even really being involved. I also new exactly how it was going to end in terms of the love interest.

A thoughtless wish, a haunting melody, and a mysterious door . . . all weave together to create this magical novel of a woman who must find the will, the courage, and the strength to claim a life of her own.
Widowed at only thirty-five and struggling to come to terms with a life she no longer recognizes, Josephine Reynolds tosses out a thoughtless wish that splits her world into two parallel but vastly different timelines . . . with potentially devastating consequences. With echoes of It’s a Wonderful Life, Josephine must race through time to save not only her great-grandmother but herself and the family she loves.
Magical and rich with 1920s period detail, The Vanishing of Josephine Reynolds is an entertaining read that captured my attention from the start.

*Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Focus for the complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

3.75 stars

This was a fun and heartfelt magical realism/time travel adventure. There was humor, tears, a mystery to solve and lots of emotion. Well done.

My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Jennifer Moorman's "The Vanishing of Josephine Reynolds" is a captivating blend of magical realism, historical fiction, and emotional journey that will enchant readers from the first page to the last. Set between present-day Nashville and the roaring 1920s, this novel weaves a tale of grief, self-discovery, and the unbreakable bonds of family across generations.

The story follows Josephine Reynolds, a young widow grappling with devastating loss. When she impulsively purchases her family's ancestral home, she unknowingly steps into a time-bending adventure that will challenge her perception of reality and her own existence. Moorman's vivid prose brings both time periods to life, with rich descriptions that transport readers seamlessly between eras.

At the heart of the novel is Josephine's relationship with her great-grandmother Alma, whom she meets in 1927 through a magical door. This intergenerational connection forms the emotional core of the story, exploring themes of resilience, love, and the healing power of family..

Moorman expertly balances the fantastical elements with genuine emotional depth, creating characters that readers will deeply care for.
The author's attention to historical detail shines through in her portrayal of 1920s Nashville, complete with speakeasies and period-accurate dialogue. This attention to authenticity grounds the magical elements of the story, making the impossible seem plausible.

While the concept of time travel is not new in literature, Moorman's approach feels fresh and purposeful. The "vanishing" aspect adds a layer of urgency to Josephine's journey, creating tension that keeps readers engaged throughout the novel.

"The Vanishing of Josephine Reynolds" is more than just a time travel story; it's a poignant exploration of grief and the process of rediscovering oneself after loss. Moorman handles these themes with sensitivity and insight, offering a story that is both comforting and inspiring to those who have experienced similar pain.

The novel's pacing is well-executed, with a satisfying build-up to a conclusion that ties the various threads together beautifully. Some readers may find the ending slightly rushed, but overall, the story's resolution is emotionally fulfilling and true to the characters' journeys.

In conclusion, "The Vanishing of Josephine Reynolds" is a heartwarming, magical tale that will appeal to fans of historical fiction, magical realism, and emotionally resonant storytelling. Jennifer Moorman has crafted a novel that lingers in the mind long after the final page, reminding us of the enduring power of love and the magic that can be found in unexpected places.

A dual time line time travel novel about a woman who is looking for herself. Josephine, a young widow, is at loose ends when she inadvertently discovers there's a portal to 1927 at her great-grandmother Alma's house. She steps through and finds herself in, of all things, a speak easy. This is very much about family and knowing yourself-and how one small things has reverberations across the years. Josephine's a good character and Moorman is a good storyteller-and this is a good read. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. For fans of magical realism.

The Vanishing of Josephine Reynolds is about a young widowed Josephine, who is going through a difficult time. She decides to buy her great-grandmother's home, and while renovating it, she discovers the original door of the house and finds herself transported back to 1927. As a fan of time travel books and emotional stories, I truly enjoyed this novel. The dynamic between Josephine and her great-grandmother was particularly moving for me. It was a deeply emotional read. I highly recommend this book, and I look forward to checking out the author's other works as well.
Thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins Focus for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. I'll post my review closer to the publication date. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Generally I like time travel and this one did move seamlessly between times, but I could take it or leave it. I stuck with it because I enjoy this era of speakeasies and jazz but I never really felt committed to this book. I appreciate the complimentary digital ARC that I received from NetGalley and the publisher. This review is my own opinion.

I was not sure what to expect when I began this book. I was more than pleasantly surprised. Josephine, Alma, Danny, and the others came off the page for me. The depiction of Josephine's complicated first marriage was nuanced and accurate, flawlessly portraying the gray areas of life. Josephine's journeys - physical, mental, emotional - were dynamic, believable, and relatable. I was especially charmed by Danny. For the first time, I believe this book could have stood to be a bit longer, as there were some plot lines that felt rushed early on in the story. However, the rush to get to the heart of the story can be forgiven because of just how much heart it had. The ending was bittersweet but exactly the right call. I look forward to recommending this book to my friends.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5. The Vanishing of Josephine Reynolds by Jennifer Moorman. Josephine is newly windowed in her mid-thirties, and she’s struggling to make sense of her life. Her sister sends her a real estate listing, and it for her great-grandmother’s former home! Impulsively, Josephine buys it. It needs some help to be restored, and Josephine starts with the front door. At a salvage yard, she amazingly stumbles upon the home’s original front door. Even more amazingly, this door has magical properties, and Josephine soon finds herself back in the 1920s with her great-grandmother, Alma. Alma (also windowed) runs a speakeasy in her basement! Josephine is able to use the door as a portal, going back and forth from the present to the past. She soon discovers that things in the present are being erased, and she realizes her entire existence is in jeopardy! This book was Back to the Future-esque, and I enjoyed it very much. Thank you to the publisher, the author and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy. #bookstagram #whatiread #reading #bookgram #bookworm #jennifermoorman #netgalley #goodreads #books #timetravel #speakeasy

Despite the great reviews on this one... I DNF'd at 47%. The writing was childish and the plot very meandering--I was straight up bored. For those who appreciate cozy family stories--this might be for you! But this one was not for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins Focus for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley and the publisher HarperMuse in exchange for an honest review.

I’m a big fan of magical realism, which is why I decided to request a copy of this novel. However, I like magic realism only if it’s characters are multi-layered, complex and/or fierce. Unfortunately, Jo is not that kind of girl. She’s a little too weak for my taste, and it’s unfortunate that she’s the kind of person who loses herself whenever she’s in a relationship. Jo reminds me somewhat of the romance novel characters I read… back in the late 1990s. Her sister totally upstages her (and I think is more deserving of being the main character). I didn’t finish the book because I didn’t really care about Jo.

Not a bad book. It’s cozy but kinda middling. 2.75 out of 5.

DNF

This book, sadly, wasn't for me.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Focus for this ARC opportunity.

The synopsis for THE VANISHING OF JOSEPHINE REYNOLDS caught my attention. Using time travel and parallel timelines, Jennifer Moorman spins a tale that touches the heart.

Josephine Reynolds is reeling from the death of her husband and finding it difficult to crawl out of her depression. Upon rescuing her ancestral home from foreclosure, she quickly learns that the house and her great grandmother have a fascinating history. An ornate door acts as a portal transporting Josephine to the Prohibition Era where she encounters Alma, her great grandmother.

This is a tender examination of grief and healing. Moorman handles these issues with sensitivity as we watch Josephine try to put her life back together by changing the past.

I enjoyed traveling back to the 1920s - the fashion and music contribute to creating a setting where you believe anything is possible.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Focus for the advance copy in exchange for my unbiased review.

I received a free copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review

This book is a step backwards into history with a hint of magic to it and it has its charms. Josephine was a perfect example of how an adult is still perfectly capable of wonder and the speakeasy and its individuals were a likeable group. I found myself drifting whenever she exited the speakeasy as while her sister is nice she seems to exist only to serve as an info dump and to express her views on Josephine’s late husband which we don’t really get a sense of other than what people tell Josephine. The love interest was an afterthought though I did like the widowers finding love again. Overall, it is a good read.

This was a wonderful magical realism book. A tad slow at times but still quite enjoyable. I loved the characters and the ending wraps up everything perfectly! I received an advanced readers copy and all opinions are my own.

This was an entertaining historical fiction/time travel book. I enjoyed Josephine and Alma and the way their friendship developed and the speakeasy was fun.

I received an arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I have never in my life flown through a historical fiction book as past as this one. Exquisitely immersive is an understatement. I absolutely loved everything about this and cannot wait to read what Moorman writes next!

The blurb of this book was so fascinating. I have read a few time-travel books that I loved. This book, however, couldn't grip my attention for long. I really liked the beginning—Josephine's emotions and her bonding with her sister. But then it becomes dull because it takes too much time to reach the point of intrigue. The 'time travel' thing happens and vanishes in a blink. Nothing extraordinary because the mother and the sister have already talked about everything in the present. And, sadly, after that, I lost interest. I didn't want to know more about the story or Josephine. 
Here, I must admit that I am an impatient reader. If you are someone who reads with patience, you might enjoy it. Thank you for the copy. Sorry, it didn't really work for me.

I love time travel books!
It was probably a little predictable but I still really enjoyed it. It grabbed my attention from the first page and I couldn’t put it down. My only complaint is I wanted a few more pages. Definitely recommend!!

I have to say this book was magical. Josephine, buys a house that had been passed down in her family for years. She had just lost her husband and needed something to take her mind off her loss. Her Uncle who had let the house go into foreclosure and tried to modernize the historical landmark and that wasn't something that Josephine likes. She found the original door and had it put back on the house with the same key that came with it. On the door there was a saying. She happened to say the words while holding the key and entered into 1927 where she met her great grandmother Alma. They became great friends. Josephine would go back in forth until she realized that she had to save her great grandmother from death or she would never be born. So goes this beautiful story about love, loss and finding yourself to be a strong, resilient women. The ending was just wonderful but I guess the beginning and middle were pretty special too. I highly recommend this book. Look for it January 14, 2025.
Thanks to #netgalley, #harpercollins and @jenniferrmoorman for an ARC of this great read. All opinions are my own.