Wednesday, January 9

Book review: Seashells, Spells & Caramels by Erin Johnson

Seashells, Spells & Caramels (Spells & Caramels, #1)
Author: Erin Johnson
Title: Seashells, Spells & Caramels
(Spells & Caramels #1)
Genre: Mystery, Fantasy, Paranormal
Pages: ebook
Published: October 2017
Where I Got It: My shelf (Amazon freebie)



Imogen’s spent her twenties in Seattle, saving every penny and missing every party, to follow her dream of opening her own bakery.

When that dream goes up in flames, she accepts a spot in a mysterious baking contest—one she doesn’t remember entering. She travels to a bustling, medieval village off the coast of France and discovers an enchanting world of magic and mystery, and learns that she, too, possesses powers.

Unable to so much as cast a spell, Imogen struggles to keep up with the other witches and wizards who have come from all over the magical world to the Water Kingdom's big competition. She juggles relationships with a sweet new friend, a snarky baking fire, and a brooding, handsome baker. As Imogen falls for this bewitching world, she fears she won’t master her magic in time to win the job of Royal Head Baker, and will be forced to return to the shambles of her non magical life.

It only gets worse, when a competitor drops dead in the middle of the big white baking tent, and Imogen’s the prime suspect. Now, she’ll not only have to survive the vampire and psychic judges, but also clear her name by finding the real murderer, before they strike again.
With a killer on the loose, a missing prince, and the Summer Solstice Festival fast approaching, Imogen will have to bake like her life depends on it- because it just might.

A random find on Amazon. I was feeling a nice mystery and I like food...soooo perfection!

The story follows Imogen wants to be a baker and own her very own bakery. However, things happen and she loses everything. Like magic, an invitation to a mysterious baking contest comes her way. With really no other options, she accepts and gets herself to France. Little did she know...this is a magical bake-off. Even more of a surprise, she is a witch. 

This started off horrible. It was slow, it didn't make sense, and I wanted to smack everyone. So many plotholes, so many questions. However, I kept trekking along with hope in my heart. I wanted to know who killed the Head Royal Baker. About halfway through I was glued to the pages. Things really turned around. 

I loved the little flame, Iggy. He was snarky and sassy and fun. He was a jerk, but with a reason. Imogen is a dummy. 

My biggest issue was with Imogen. She is supposed to be in her late 20's but she acts like a 10-year-old girl. Always crying and acting so immature. I honestly felt like this was written by someone younger who doesn't understand the adult world fully. Didn't Imogen have renter's insurance? Why wouldn't she call her adopted parents? Just so many questionable things. Imogen didn't deserve to be in that contest honestly. Sure she can bake decent...but she has zero ideas on how to do magic. Why would a Royal Family be okay with even the thought of an unknown witch coming in? I might be looking too much into this, but there were so many questions and weird plotholes that bugged me.

I do want to understand this world better. I feel there is so much we do not understand yet. 

The ending was good. I guessed who did it...but I wasn't aware of the full extent of it! Holy cannoli! But it seemed pretty obvious from the moment Imogen got there. 

Overall, this started out horrible and ended decently. Still a lot of questions and questionable things. I'm glad I didn't give up, but I am a little hesitant for the next book. I hope it doesn't have issues like this one did. I'll give this 2 stars. Not quite a 3.






Book 2 of 16-25 Books





6 comments:

Blodeuedd said...

Yeah no thank you. I do not want my MC acting like that

Carol said...

I love the title, but I think I'll skip the actual book.

Melliane said...

Oh no it looked fun!

Carole Rae said...

B, nooo I had a hard time with her

Carol, same. I don't blame you.:)

Melliane, yess a super bummer

Sophia Rose said...

Well, crap!

I got this one as a freebie and it looked cute. The immature heroine is a tough sell for me. I will probably still read it since I have it, but lower my expectations.

Carole Rae said...

Sophia, I got it for free too. I would still read it, but just be warned ;)