Book Review: Magical New Beginnings by Brenda Trim

Author: Brenda Trim

Title: Magical New Beginnings

Series: Midlife Witchery #1

Genre: Urban Fiction, Paranormal Romance, Fantasy, Mystery 

Format: ebook

Pages: 215

Published: November 24, 2020

Where I got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary: 

When life goes sideways, embracing the adventure is the fastest way to set things right.

One day I was just a widow facing the prospect of an empty nest, living a life that was anything but enchanted. The next, I had discovered my magical roots, and my rightful place as the Guardian of the portal between the Faery and Earth.

There was shock. And there was fear. After all, no one plans to start over at forty-five. I intended to grow old with my husband. I thought we’d live an ordinary life. So I’ll be damned if I’m going to waste this opportunity to live in a world I always thought was imaginary.

I’m half-witch, half-faery, and facing dangers as real as the ache in my bad knee. Ibuprofen and caffeine keep me going, and I could do this for the rest of my life. Whoever thinks my family home is an easy mark better take notice: the new Guardian in town isn’t going down without a fight.

After all, she’s already learned to let go of her simple existence and believe in the extraordinary power inside of her. What could possibly stop her now?

Review:

I've had my eye on this since it first came out. Forgot about it for a bit and then seen it was free on Amazon recently so I grabbed it!

Here we follow Fiona who is starting a new life after the death of her husband and her grandmother. However, nothing is as it seems. After inheriting the house, she finds that magic is 100% real and she has some huge shoes to fill. She is responsible for guarding this portal between the Faery and Earth. She is new to having these powers so she will have to relay on her new friends to help her. 

I really enjoyed the premise behind this. I especially loved that we have an older set of characters here. The majority of them seem to be 40+ so that is really cool! Rarely do you get a UF or PNR with older characters. Loved it. Plus the whole portal thing was cool!

Fiona was a sweetie. She acted like she was 80 instead of being in her 40s though. It did get annoying....like we get it hon. You can stop. 

I didn't like Bas....the love interest.....maybe in the next book he gets better. I think Fiona could do better if I'm being honest here.

The mystery was interesting enough and it kept me reading on. However, I had issues with the ending. It just ended. You could call it a cliffhanger...sure....but it felt like the author just cut the book in half is selling the other half as book 2. It was just so dang abrupt. 

I also did find myself struggling a bit with reading this. It felt so chunky in places and the pacing was really off. It just didn't flow for me like I would want. 

All-in-all, I did enjoy the premise and the majority of the crew. It was nice and refreshing. I might read book 2 if it is free....someday. I hope book 2 is edited a little bit better and flows better. We shall see. I'll give this 2 stars. 

Favorite Character(s): Fiona

Least Favorite Character(s): Bas

 

 Challenge(s):

- Cloak & Dagger #12

- TBR #5 (Older Couple)