Tag: Karen Hawkins

The Secret Recipe of Ella Dove (Women’s Fiction)

Number three in the Dove Pond Series, each following the fortunes of one of the seven (somewhat magical) Dove sisters. Book one featured the youngest, Sarah, who can always tell exactly which book a person needs to read; book two focuses on Ava, second youngest, who brews a set of specialty teas that can induce calm, sleep, or romance; and this book introduces Ella, third youngest, who is a social media star baker whose products stimulate the recall of cherished memories in the consumer. It’s warm and uplifting chick lit with some very genuine, sweet scenes; good messaging around communication and facing your difficulties; and the requisite seriously good guy love interest. Nobody is perfect, which I appreciate, but regardless of some of their more negative attributes, they all want to be good people and all are trying their hardest to protect their loved ones, even if that isn’t always the best strategy! I’ve really lost interest in the new pile of books that are about very broken people who don’t always seem to manage to grow into decent human beings during the arc of the story. This book made me feel cheerful…

Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. The book will be published on August 15th, 2023.

A Cup of Silver Linings by Karen Hawkins


Writing: 3/3 Plot: 3/3 Characters: 4/5

A second installment of what promises to continue the fun, lightly magical, tales of Dove Pond. This episode focuses on Ava Dove, the sixth of the seven Dove sisters, whose semi-magical herbal teas — carefully concocted for each individual client — are starting to go wonky. Meanwhile, buttoned-up grandmother Ellen is brought to town for the funeral of her long-estranged daughter Julie and runs into trouble trying to convince Julie’s daughter Kristen to leave Dove Pond for a fabulous new life in Raleigh. Sarah Dove — daughter seven — is back as well, continuing to listen (literally) to books as they tell her who needs to read them (yes, I would be so happy to pay for that talent!). Simple but appealing characters and a light touch of mostly playful magic that is more an extension of the person’s character — this feels like a combination of Alice Hoffman and Fannie Flagg to me. A nice feel good book.

Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. The book will be published on August 1st, 2021.