So, this book y'all. I have been waiting for so long to read it and it was every bit as wonderful as I knew it'd be. 

Being a fan of Jo and her work before hand did nothing to prepare me for how amazing this story was. I was sucked in by page one, and it had me guessing and wondering and loving the entire time. 

Our Hero, Coop, has a past he just wants to forget. He's moved on and lives a quiet life as a journalist, and for the most part, he's been able to make a new life for himself.

Until the past catches up and drags him right back to the one place he wanted to leave behind. 

Salem, Mass. His hometown.

Before he's given the assignment, he gets word that his mother has passed away. He's not real sure how to process it, as they've been estranged since he was a boy, since a tragedy tore him away from her. 

He's there on assignment, to write about the Festival of the Dead, but what starts out as simply a job, becomes something altogether different.

His first night in town, he decides to stop off at a B&B and meets a quirky gal.  There's something about her--she knows stuff, but she proves to be a challenge, one he enjoys.

Finn believes in all the things Coop blows off as being ridiculous. The things he attributes to all the bad things that happened to him and his family.  There's something about the girl, though, and she forces him to open his eyes, and most importantly, his heart. From there, that's where the magic really happens.

Just, trust me on this. Finn... you're going to love this girl. She's got a snap to her, but she's sweet and smart and lovely. She's just something else, and her character won my heart immediately. 

As we journey with Coop while he relearns a town he thought he knew everything about, secrets are revealed, and realizations are made. Finn forces him to open up to things he thinks are ridiculous, and he finally finds the answers he is looking for, or not looking for. 

My favorite part of this book was the awakening of Coop. As he finds out who his mother really was, he learns to forgive and it changes him in so many ways. He rediscovers his family for what it really was, lets go of the things holding him back and eventually, falls in love. It's beautiful in every way.

There were so many twists and turns. Jo really brought you into this world of secrets and spells and mysteries. The journals of Coop's mother, Crazy Maggie Shaw, are fucking epic. As I read, my brow creased along side Coop, wondering WTF was this broad talking about?! I was as frustrated and curious as he was, and couldn't wait for them to crack another one open to discover what was inside.

I was a little heartbroken for Coop in a few places, but the tight pretty red bow that tied this wonderful story up brings it all full circle, and isn't that what we want? Jo did this and more. By the end of the story, I was worrying my lip and wishing it would never end. I wanted Finn to take him on more little mini adventures. I wanted her to throw him more jabs and make him smile. I wanted to watch the ice around his heart melt again and again.

True fucking beauty. 

This is J.R. Richardson's debut novel, and folks... hold your pantaloons. We're in for a lot more amazing from this woman, and I can't wait to get my grubby hands on every single page of it.

Thank you Jo for writing such an interesting, heart warming and lovable story!