Review by Booklist Review
Harper, renowned for her snarky but feel-good rom-coms, is back with the first episode in her new Starfall Point series. After her mother's death, Riley Everett hears from an aunt she never knew she had who invites her to Starfall Point on a Michigan island. The trip by ferry is beyond grueling and Riley's horrendous seasickness has her puking on the expensive shoes of Edison, the man who hogged the restroom. Arriving at the mansion where her aunt works, Riley is informed by a ghostly butler that her aunt died the previous day. A letter informs Riley that she is a witch and it is her responsibility to take care of the mansion she now owns with its multitude of dangerous ghosts who are often linked to valuable objects. Edison is one of many who want access to the property and his offering to Riley of a basket of books is endearing and exactly what is expected from a librarian with two doctorates. The combination of smart protagonists, ghosts, and witches is good fun and readers will look forward to future escapades.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Harper (Calling) gets her Starfall Point paranormal romance series off to a muddled start, introducing Riley Everett as she leaves Florida for the island of Starfall Point in response to an invitation from Nora Denton, the aunt Riley never knew she had. On the way into town, Riley has an antagonistic encounter with a man who turns out to be the attractive but reclusive local librarian, Edison Held. Then she discovers that Nora has died, leaving behind both a legacy of witchcraft and Shaddow House, home to a friendly ghost butler and a host of other spirits, each bound to a valuable antique. Riley attempts to unravel the frustrating puzzles her aunt has left for her while recruiting her new friends--antique shopkeeper Alice and coffee shop owner Caroline--into her fledgling coven. Meanwhile, the island's "Nana Grapevine" helps push Riley and Edward together, and he becomes not only Riley's boyfriend but an associate member of the team despite his lack of magical ability. Though the tone feels overly light for the content in several spots and the romance itself is distinctly lukewarm, Harper's assemblage of ghostly residents sparkles and the trio of women develops enough personality to carry the series through their inevitable romantic sequels. It's not perfect, but it has its charms. (Sept.)
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Review by Library Journal Review
Feeling unmoored after losing her mother and the latest in a long string of jobs, Riley Everett accepts an invitation from her long-lost aunt to visit the family home, Shaddow House, on Starfall Point, a quaint town on a small island off the coast of Michigan. While on the ferry, Riley meets Edison Held, the town's hot single librarian, and proceeds to throw up on his shoes. When she arrives at Starfall, things immediately aren't as expected: her aunt passed away days earlier and left stewardship of the house to Riley. Then Riley finds that the house is full of ghosts and that she has magic in her blood. Her newly realized witch powers allow her to guide the lost ghosts. As Riley embraces her magic and responsibilities to the spirits she encounters, she begins to find herself and maybe a happily-ever-after in the process. While Edison doesn't stand out as a love interest, multiple quirky side characters add to the story, as does the fascinating Shaddow House. VERDICT Previously only available as an Audible Original, this series launch from Harper (A Farewell to Charms) will appeal to readers who enjoy witchy paranormal romance.--Mary Frances Cely
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