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Estrada Family
The Anatomy of Magic
A young woman learns to embrace all the messy imperfections of life and love with some help from her magical family in this next novel by New York Times bestselling author J.C. Cervantes.
Lilian Estrada seemingly has it all: an ob-gyn star on the rise, a master at balancing work with whirlwind romances and part of a family of fiercely loyal and exceptional women, all bound together by an extraordinary secret. The Estrada women each possess a unique power, and Lily shines with the rare gift to manipulate memories. Yet not even her mystical abilities can shield her from a harrowing event at the hospital, one that sends her powers—and her confidence—spiraling out of control.
Seeking solace, Lily retreats to her family's ancestral home in Mexico, only to find herself face-to-face with a ghost from her past—Sam, the first love she never forgot. Nearly a decade since she last saw him, Sam is hardly the boy she once knew, and as old flames spark to life, Lily must navigate the mysteries of their shared history and the depths of her own heart if she hopes to control her unpredictable magic.
Lilian Estrada seemingly has it all: an ob-gyn star on the rise, a master at balancing work with whirlwind romances and part of a family of fiercely loyal and exceptional women, all bound together by an extraordinary secret. The Estrada women each possess a unique power, and Lily shines with the rare gift to manipulate memories. Yet not even her mystical abilities can shield her from a harrowing event at the hospital, one that sends her powers—and her confidence—spiraling out of control.
Seeking solace, Lily retreats to her family's ancestral home in Mexico, only to find herself face-to-face with a ghost from her past—Sam, the first love she never forgot. Nearly a decade since she last saw him, Sam is hardly the boy she once knew, and as old flames spark to life, Lily must navigate the mysteries of their shared history and the depths of her own heart if she hopes to control her unpredictable magic.
304 pages, Paperback
First published March 11, 2025
56 people are currently reading
15.4k people want to read
About the author
J.C. Cervantes
20books803followersJ.C. is a New York Times best-selling author. Her books have been published in more than twelve countries and have appeared on national lists, including the American Booksellers Association New Voices, Barnes and Noble’s Best Young Reader Books, and Amazon’s Best Books of the Month. She has earned multiple awards and recognitions, including the New Mexico Book Award and the Zia Book Award.
She currently resides in the Land of Enchantment with her family and spoiled pups, but keeps part of her heart in Southern California, where she was born and raised. When she isn’t writing, she is haunting bookstores and searching for magic in all corners of the world.
Author also writes under Jennifer Cervantes
She currently resides in the Land of Enchantment with her family and spoiled pups, but keeps part of her heart in Southern California, where she was born and raised. When she isn’t writing, she is haunting bookstores and searching for magic in all corners of the world.
Author also writes under Jennifer Cervantes
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
March 14, 2025
This story was a perfect companion to The Enchanted Hacienda! I hope the author keeps giving us stories for all the sisters and cousins! A look back into the lives of the mom and aunt would be fantastic too! I even would love a novella about the owner of the coffee shop, Pasaporte.
Based on the previous book, I was thinking Lily was the sister/cousin that had life mostly put together and yet from this story we find she may just have been the most broken. I loved digging into her past with Sam and watching their story unfold.
The continued weaving of mexican mythology and the magical flower farm kept me locked into the story. I think I read 80% of the book in 1 sitting. This book released earlier this week and I definitely recommend adding it to your TBR!
Based on the previous book, I was thinking Lily was the sister/cousin that had life mostly put together and yet from this story we find she may just have been the most broken. I loved digging into her past with Sam and watching their story unfold.
The continued weaving of mexican mythology and the magical flower farm kept me locked into the story. I think I read 80% of the book in 1 sitting. This book released earlier this week and I definitely recommend adding it to your TBR!
December 21, 2024
The Anatomy of Magic is a multicultural fantasy second chance romance about Lily and Sam. They grew up together and had a secret love affair that ended suddenly with the words "I dont love you anymore."
Years later Lily is in emotional turmoil, her medical career is in chaos and her heart is protected by a spell keeping her from forming emotional connections. When she returns home to take comfort with her family and their magical flower farm she reunites with Sam and has to learn to trust herself and her heart again.
Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin/Park Row for the opportunity to read and review this book which I am giving 2.5/5 stars. I feel there is a disservice being done to this book as it is clearly the sequel to the book The Enchanted Hacienda yet it is not being advertised that way at all from what I can tell. While I did enjoy the prose and style of writing in this book it suffers the same issue I had with the first book in that I did not like either of the main characters or their relationship together.
I am a big fan of a second chance romance, but this couple and their issue rubbed me the wrong way. I hated the big reveal of the cause of their breakup and how it was handled by Sam, essentially a man making a decision for a couple in a relationship completely on his own and not even having the respect to discuss or involve Lily in any sort of way.
Unfortunately I cannot recommend this book and have no desire to promote this on my social media. At this point I dont think I will be continuing with anymore books by this author as both of the books in this series have disappointed me,
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 9, 2024
3.75 stars (rounding up)
This is Ashley Poston meets ENCANTO in an adult romance with magical realism.
Thank you to NetGalley & Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
SUMMARY: Lily is an OBGYN and after a tragic event at work, she runs home. But she’s been running for a long time from life and love.
In this journey of healing, Lily must confront her past including her first love, Sam. There is just something about first loves ...
MY THOUGHTS: (SOME SPOILERS ISH)
I loved the magic and the family dynamics in this book. The way the family interacted and respected nature and used their magic for love and healing was incredible. The story of Sam and Lilian was the true gut punch of first loves. It felt a little bit like Sam was a bit insta-forgiven and would have liked to see a bit more development of his story/communication but that is just probably more about how I would have responded in Lilian's shoes (lol)
Overall I really enjoyed this book. Thank you to J.C and her publishing team for honoring me with the chance to read it early.
This is Ashley Poston meets ENCANTO in an adult romance with magical realism.
Thank you to NetGalley & Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
SUMMARY: Lily is an OBGYN and after a tragic event at work, she runs home. But she’s been running for a long time from life and love.
In this journey of healing, Lily must confront her past including her first love, Sam. There is just something about first loves ...
MY THOUGHTS: (SOME SPOILERS ISH)
I loved the magic and the family dynamics in this book. The way the family interacted and respected nature and used their magic for love and healing was incredible. The story of Sam and Lilian was the true gut punch of first loves. It felt a little bit like Sam was a bit insta-forgiven and would have liked to see a bit more development of his story/communication but that is just probably more about how I would have responded in Lilian's shoes (lol)
Overall I really enjoyed this book. Thank you to J.C and her publishing team for honoring me with the chance to read it early.
March 14, 2025
3.75 ⭐️
�
Thanks to Netgalley, Headline Eternal and J.C. Cervantes for an ARC of this book! �
This book felt like a delightful crossover between Ashley Poston and Encanto, and I really enjoyed that combination! � The whimsical, heartwarming atmosphere was paired with a unique magical system that felt fresh and engaging. I loved how the magic was woven into the story—it was creative, fun, and added an extra layer of charm to the book. The characters were well-developed and easy to root for, though I wasn’t a fan of the main character’s cigarette use. It felt like an odd choice that didn’t really add much to the story.
The pacing was incredibly fast, making it a quick and easy read. 📖 While this kept things exciting, it also meant that certain aspects of the story felt underexplored or a little vague. Some moments could have used more depth, especially in the worldbuilding and emotional development. However, I later realized that this was actually the second book in a series, which might explain why I felt like I was missing some context. Even without reading the first book, I could still follow the plot, but I do wonder if I would have appreciated it more with the full backstory.
One of my favorite parts was the second-chance romance. ❤️ The chemistry between the main characters was sweet, and I liked how their history played into their relationship. That said, they did get together very quickly, which made their reunion feel a bit rushed. A little more build-up would have made their romance even more satisfying.
Overall, The Anatomy of Magic is a fun, romantic, and magical read that’s perfect if you’re looking for something light and fast-paced. � While it had a few flaws, I still enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone who loves a mix of magic, romance, and heartwarming storytelling!
�
Thanks to Netgalley, Headline Eternal and J.C. Cervantes for an ARC of this book! �
This book felt like a delightful crossover between Ashley Poston and Encanto, and I really enjoyed that combination! � The whimsical, heartwarming atmosphere was paired with a unique magical system that felt fresh and engaging. I loved how the magic was woven into the story—it was creative, fun, and added an extra layer of charm to the book. The characters were well-developed and easy to root for, though I wasn’t a fan of the main character’s cigarette use. It felt like an odd choice that didn’t really add much to the story.
The pacing was incredibly fast, making it a quick and easy read. 📖 While this kept things exciting, it also meant that certain aspects of the story felt underexplored or a little vague. Some moments could have used more depth, especially in the worldbuilding and emotional development. However, I later realized that this was actually the second book in a series, which might explain why I felt like I was missing some context. Even without reading the first book, I could still follow the plot, but I do wonder if I would have appreciated it more with the full backstory.
One of my favorite parts was the second-chance romance. ❤️ The chemistry between the main characters was sweet, and I liked how their history played into their relationship. That said, they did get together very quickly, which made their reunion feel a bit rushed. A little more build-up would have made their romance even more satisfying.
Overall, The Anatomy of Magic is a fun, romantic, and magical read that’s perfect if you’re looking for something light and fast-paced. � While it had a few flaws, I still enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone who loves a mix of magic, romance, and heartwarming storytelling!
April 17, 2025
4 stars! The magical realism in this book was like Encanto meet The Good Witch and I ate these vibes up. There’s romance, heart break (and healing), family dynamics, loss, and love. Overall, a really wonderful story to get lost in. Side note: I did not know this was a companion novel/interconnected standalone to The Enchanted Hacienda. I did not read that and did not find it necessary to do so and nothing seemed left out of this story.
March 1, 2025
4.5 Stars
Lily Estrada finds herself returning to her family home in Mexico, following a tragedy with one of her patients in Los Angeles. Lily comes from a long line of women with unique magic, and her memory magic has been affected by what happened at the hospital. Returning home is hard for Lily, since she’ll be facing her family, dealing with her magic that has become out of control, and unexpectedly reconnecting with the man she loved many years ago.
I listened to the audiobook of The Anatomy of Magic and really loved the story. Diana Bustelo narrates the book, and I enjoyed the way she voiced the characters, especially since the majority of them were female. This is just a really great story that does a beautiful job of mixing women’s fiction with magical realism.
The magic in Lily’s family has been passed down to the women in each generation, and it is centered around flowers/plants. The magic is a great contrast to Lily’s profession of being a doctor, and I loved seeing her science side and her magic side. There are some great side characters among the women in her family, and I loved seeing their support for Lily, even when she keeps secrets from them.
The romance in the book is a second chance romance, and I thought it worked well in the story. Lily already had an established relationship with Sam, and I enjoyed seeing how their feelings unfolded after being away from one another for so long. They both have issues to work through, that bring some good tension to their relationship.
Cervantes really weaves a magical story of family legacy and loyalty, a rich cultural heritage, overcoming mistakes, revealing long-kept secrets, and finding what really makes you happy, in The Anatomy of Magic.
Thank you to Harlequin Audio through NetGalley for providing me with a free audiobook copy of The Anatomy of Magic. All opinions are my own.
Lily Estrada finds herself returning to her family home in Mexico, following a tragedy with one of her patients in Los Angeles. Lily comes from a long line of women with unique magic, and her memory magic has been affected by what happened at the hospital. Returning home is hard for Lily, since she’ll be facing her family, dealing with her magic that has become out of control, and unexpectedly reconnecting with the man she loved many years ago.
I listened to the audiobook of The Anatomy of Magic and really loved the story. Diana Bustelo narrates the book, and I enjoyed the way she voiced the characters, especially since the majority of them were female. This is just a really great story that does a beautiful job of mixing women’s fiction with magical realism.
The magic in Lily’s family has been passed down to the women in each generation, and it is centered around flowers/plants. The magic is a great contrast to Lily’s profession of being a doctor, and I loved seeing her science side and her magic side. There are some great side characters among the women in her family, and I loved seeing their support for Lily, even when she keeps secrets from them.
The romance in the book is a second chance romance, and I thought it worked well in the story. Lily already had an established relationship with Sam, and I enjoyed seeing how their feelings unfolded after being away from one another for so long. They both have issues to work through, that bring some good tension to their relationship.
Cervantes really weaves a magical story of family legacy and loyalty, a rich cultural heritage, overcoming mistakes, revealing long-kept secrets, and finding what really makes you happy, in The Anatomy of Magic.
Thank you to Harlequin Audio through NetGalley for providing me with a free audiobook copy of The Anatomy of Magic. All opinions are my own.
March 21, 2025
4 Stars, 1 Spice
This was super cute! I want to be friends with Lily, the narrator was the perfect voice selection for her and made her really come to life. She felt so raw and painfully human as she went through a journey of self discovery and healing. I got really caught up in the narrative and binged something like 80% of the book in one go. I also enjoyed the second-chance romance in there. I was shocked by the reason behind why it ended between them the first time. Did not see that coming! I think the author did a good job of showing Lily's character development. I also really enjoyed how unique the magic system is in this book. Its a very realistic way to incorporate magical realism. No character was over-powered with magic in any way, it all had very reasonable boundaries and was well thought out. The other characters were all pretty flat, so that's my only negative.
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the advance listen copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
This was super cute! I want to be friends with Lily, the narrator was the perfect voice selection for her and made her really come to life. She felt so raw and painfully human as she went through a journey of self discovery and healing. I got really caught up in the narrative and binged something like 80% of the book in one go. I also enjoyed the second-chance romance in there. I was shocked by the reason behind why it ended between them the first time. Did not see that coming! I think the author did a good job of showing Lily's character development. I also really enjoyed how unique the magic system is in this book. Its a very realistic way to incorporate magical realism. No character was over-powered with magic in any way, it all had very reasonable boundaries and was well thought out. The other characters were all pretty flat, so that's my only negative.
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the advance listen copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
March 18, 2025
� ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Anatomy of Magic
Author: J.C. Cervantes
Thank you so much Harlequin Audio for this ALC! This book was so sweet. This book is about a family that each have their own magical ability. Our main character in this one, Lilian, has the power to manipulate memories. Lily suffers a tragic event at work as an Obgy-n, and returns to her family home for a break. She ends up running into her first love, Sam, and they begin to navigate the murky waters of their past relationship and feelings they may still have for each other. This book really touched my heart in multiple ways. Lillian really grew throughout the book, and it was inspiring to read her journey and how she handles coming out of her dark place after the incident she went though. I was surprised by the touch of romance in this one, I wasn’t expecting it to be such a big part of the story. The magic system was also extremely unique and I loved the way the flowers, and nature was such a driving force behind it all. The audio was great, and I’ll definitely be checking out the rest of this series.
The Anatomy of Magic
Author: J.C. Cervantes
Thank you so much Harlequin Audio for this ALC! This book was so sweet. This book is about a family that each have their own magical ability. Our main character in this one, Lilian, has the power to manipulate memories. Lily suffers a tragic event at work as an Obgy-n, and returns to her family home for a break. She ends up running into her first love, Sam, and they begin to navigate the murky waters of their past relationship and feelings they may still have for each other. This book really touched my heart in multiple ways. Lillian really grew throughout the book, and it was inspiring to read her journey and how she handles coming out of her dark place after the incident she went though. I was surprised by the touch of romance in this one, I wasn’t expecting it to be such a big part of the story. The magic system was also extremely unique and I loved the way the flowers, and nature was such a driving force behind it all. The audio was great, and I’ll definitely be checking out the rest of this series.
March 28, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for the audio ARC of this book.
This book was phenomenal! The magic system was super unique and easy to follow. I absolutely loved Lily’s character arc in this. My first read from Cervantes but definitely not my last. The writing makes you feel part of the family and like you’re there experiencing everything with Lily and her family. Absolutely perfect!
This book was phenomenal! The magic system was super unique and easy to follow. I absolutely loved Lily’s character arc in this. My first read from Cervantes but definitely not my last. The writing makes you feel part of the family and like you’re there experiencing everything with Lily and her family. Absolutely perfect!
March 18, 2025
I loved how she overcame past trauma and healed her inner child
February 27, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for this ALC!
The Anatomy Magic is a cute story of a magical family and one of the member's journey for a second chance romance. Much of the book deals with the unknown of why Lily came back to her hometown very quickly and without saying to her family. The story also very much revolves around her devastation and heartbreak of her ex who broke her heart without reasoning.
This story is one of heartache, love, forgiveness, and mystery. It's about trying again and embracing your grief and trauma. I did enjoy this book but quickly got overwhelmed with the amount of references to different types of flowers and their quality. I understand that's the whole point- it was just a lot for me.
Overall, this audiobook was incredibly cute and I did enjoy it very much.
The Anatomy Magic is a cute story of a magical family and one of the member's journey for a second chance romance. Much of the book deals with the unknown of why Lily came back to her hometown very quickly and without saying to her family. The story also very much revolves around her devastation and heartbreak of her ex who broke her heart without reasoning.
This story is one of heartache, love, forgiveness, and mystery. It's about trying again and embracing your grief and trauma. I did enjoy this book but quickly got overwhelmed with the amount of references to different types of flowers and their quality. I understand that's the whole point- it was just a lot for me.
Overall, this audiobook was incredibly cute and I did enjoy it very much.
February 9, 2025
If you’re like me and find yourself hooked on second-chance romances, then this book is a gem. I’ve always been frustrated when the first time around, the couple didn’t make it—what was wrong with them, right? The tension, the heartache, and that lingering "what if" feeling always stayed with me. But this story? It’s everything I wanted in a second chance: the heartbreak, the longing, the growth, and, of course, the ultimate redemption. I adored how the characters were given the chance to rework their past, heal old wounds, and find their way back to each other. It felt real, and it was incredibly satisfying to watch their journey unfold. If you love the thrill of knowing that love can be rekindled, then this book will hit all the right spots.
February 24, 2025
**5-Star Review: *The Anatomy of Magic* by J.C. Cervantes**
Okay, this book had me *hooked* from page one. If you love stories with magic, family secrets, and a second-chance romance that will *wreck* you in the best way�*The Anatomy of Magic* is *the* read for you.
Lilian Estrada is on track to be a top ob-gyn, but when a traumatic moment shakes her confidence *and* her ability to control her family’s unique magic (which involves manipulating memories—casual, right?), she retreats to Mexico. Enter Sam—her first love, the one who got away, and the last person she expected to run into. Cue all the tension, all the emotions, and a *whole* lot of swoon-worthy moments.
J.C. Cervantes blends magical realism with deep, emotional storytelling, creating a world that feels both whimsical and *so* real. The Estrada family’s magic is woven beautifully into the plot, making it feel like an extension of their personal struggles and growth. And the romance? Absolutely *chef’s kiss*. Sam and Lily have undeniable chemistry, and their journey will have you rooting for them *so* hard.
If you love books with rich cultural elements, a sprinkle of magic, and romance that makes your heart ache in the best way (*think: Emily Henry meets Isabel Allende vibes*), this one’s for you. Add it to your TBR *immediately*!
**Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity 💕**
Okay, this book had me *hooked* from page one. If you love stories with magic, family secrets, and a second-chance romance that will *wreck* you in the best way�*The Anatomy of Magic* is *the* read for you.
Lilian Estrada is on track to be a top ob-gyn, but when a traumatic moment shakes her confidence *and* her ability to control her family’s unique magic (which involves manipulating memories—casual, right?), she retreats to Mexico. Enter Sam—her first love, the one who got away, and the last person she expected to run into. Cue all the tension, all the emotions, and a *whole* lot of swoon-worthy moments.
J.C. Cervantes blends magical realism with deep, emotional storytelling, creating a world that feels both whimsical and *so* real. The Estrada family’s magic is woven beautifully into the plot, making it feel like an extension of their personal struggles and growth. And the romance? Absolutely *chef’s kiss*. Sam and Lily have undeniable chemistry, and their journey will have you rooting for them *so* hard.
If you love books with rich cultural elements, a sprinkle of magic, and romance that makes your heart ache in the best way (*think: Emily Henry meets Isabel Allende vibes*), this one’s for you. Add it to your TBR *immediately*!
**Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity 💕**
January 20, 2025
A big thanks to NetGalley and Park Row for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Let's do the time warp again, and again, and again, and again. And I don't quite know why.
The Anatomy of Magic by J.C. Cervantes is a magical realism novel that really reminded me of Encanto, but with less Disney magic. Lilian Estrada seemingly has it all: an ob-gyn star on the rise, a master at balancing work with whirlwind romances and part of a family of fiercely loyal and exceptional women, all bound together by an extraordinary secret. The Estrada women each possess a unique power, and Lily shines with the rare gift to manipulate memories. Yet not even her mystical abilities can shield her from a harrowing event at the hospital, one that sends her powers—and her confidence—spiraling out of control. Seeking solace, Lily retreats to her family's ancestral home in Mexico, only to find herself face-to-face with a ghost from her past—Sam, the first love she never forgot. Nearly a decade since she last saw him, Sam is hardly the boy she once knew, and as old flames spark to life, Lily must navigate the mysteries of their shared history and the depths of her own heart if she hopes to control her unpredictable magic.
For one, I really liked the inclusion of Bullet, the dog. And I am so glad nothing tragic happened to him. I also really liked the plot in that it stayed in one central location. Which allowed for plenty of character reveal. Especially that in Lilian, and her general growth and learning from her mistakes. But at the same time, I didn't like Lilian. In that she was mostly meh, in that they were a stranger to the narrative and Cervantes didn't give you all that much time to learn about them.
Let's do the time warp again, and again, and again, and again. And I don't quite know why.
The Anatomy of Magic by J.C. Cervantes is a magical realism novel that really reminded me of Encanto, but with less Disney magic. Lilian Estrada seemingly has it all: an ob-gyn star on the rise, a master at balancing work with whirlwind romances and part of a family of fiercely loyal and exceptional women, all bound together by an extraordinary secret. The Estrada women each possess a unique power, and Lily shines with the rare gift to manipulate memories. Yet not even her mystical abilities can shield her from a harrowing event at the hospital, one that sends her powers—and her confidence—spiraling out of control. Seeking solace, Lily retreats to her family's ancestral home in Mexico, only to find herself face-to-face with a ghost from her past—Sam, the first love she never forgot. Nearly a decade since she last saw him, Sam is hardly the boy she once knew, and as old flames spark to life, Lily must navigate the mysteries of their shared history and the depths of her own heart if she hopes to control her unpredictable magic.
For one, I really liked the inclusion of Bullet, the dog. And I am so glad nothing tragic happened to him. I also really liked the plot in that it stayed in one central location. Which allowed for plenty of character reveal. Especially that in Lilian, and her general growth and learning from her mistakes. But at the same time, I didn't like Lilian. In that she was mostly meh, in that they were a stranger to the narrative and Cervantes didn't give you all that much time to learn about them.
March 6, 2025
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
The Anatomy of the Magic is clearly about the connection of magic, flowers, and family. It starts off with the power of flowers and continues to the unintended consequences of magic. Lily's story is about the unintended consequences of magic of wishing the pain away, of thinking we can prevent the future. Just because we have the power, doesn't mean it's the best choice to use it. The Anatomy of Magic illustrates that the past won't stay buried even when we excise it.
The Anatomy of the Magic is clearly about the connection of magic, flowers, and family. It starts off with the power of flowers and continues to the unintended consequences of magic. Lily's story is about the unintended consequences of magic of wishing the pain away, of thinking we can prevent the future. Just because we have the power, doesn't mean it's the best choice to use it. The Anatomy of Magic illustrates that the past won't stay buried even when we excise it.
April 8, 2025
I love everything J.C. Cervantes has written. However, much of Lily’s problems in this book were entirely self-inflicted. I wish it was less her fears and some other reason for the difficulties she struggled with.
April 2, 2025
This was such a cute read! It reminded me of a grown-up Encanto. I could definitely tell this was a sequel to a previous book, so I'll have to find that one and give it a listen soon!
February 11, 2025
For the most part, I enjoyed reading The Anatomy of Magic . It's the third book with magical realism I have read recently and I am discovering that I enjoy reading books like that - set in the contemporary world, but have a hint of magic in them. The writing is certainly beautiful and captivating, and grabs your attention from the get-go. I was planning on pacing myself when it came to reading this book, but somehow I found myself finishing it in one sitting.
The story is centred around Lilian Estrada, an ob-gyn resident, who belongs to a family, where all the women are bound by an extraordinary and powerful secret. They are blessed with a unique kind of magic, one that revolves around flowers. Lilian's powers relate to the manipulation of memories. As she arrives home, she is going through a rocky time in her life. I like the way Lilian was introduced, and how it was revealed, slowly, what happened that made her want to come back home. I don't want to give any spoilers, but the truth got to me pretty good and the revelation was emotionally impactful.
Arriving back in the town she lives in, Lilian bumps into Sam, the one that got away. I am a huge fan of the second chance trope, so I was excited to see how that would be done here. At the start, we don't know why they broke up in the first place (and why Sam chose to leave her), but you could easily tell that Lilian was still in love with him. Again, I won't spoil it, but the actual revelation is heart-aching.
The two had chemistry together, however I felt like we barely got to know their relationship before they were already acting lovey-dovey again. Sam's introduction felt short, and I felt that, as a reader, I barely got to know him before the two start seeing each other again. I would have loved to see more scenes of them getting to know each other again, after being apart for so long. For the most part, I liked Sam, but I so wish we had more scenes and we learnt more about him. I also wanted Lilian to take her time in forgiving Sam, but I do understand why she forgave him so quickly.
But overall, I did enjoy reading The Anatomy of Magic for its beautiful writing and the way it portrayed love (both romantic and familial). I also didn't realise this was a spin-off/sequel of another book, which now, I am definitely adding to my TBR!
Thank you Headline Eternal for providing me an e-ARC through NetGalley!
The story is centred around Lilian Estrada, an ob-gyn resident, who belongs to a family, where all the women are bound by an extraordinary and powerful secret. They are blessed with a unique kind of magic, one that revolves around flowers. Lilian's powers relate to the manipulation of memories. As she arrives home, she is going through a rocky time in her life. I like the way Lilian was introduced, and how it was revealed, slowly, what happened that made her want to come back home. I don't want to give any spoilers, but the truth got to me pretty good and the revelation was emotionally impactful.
Arriving back in the town she lives in, Lilian bumps into Sam, the one that got away. I am a huge fan of the second chance trope, so I was excited to see how that would be done here. At the start, we don't know why they broke up in the first place (and why Sam chose to leave her), but you could easily tell that Lilian was still in love with him. Again, I won't spoil it, but the actual revelation is heart-aching.
The two had chemistry together, however I felt like we barely got to know their relationship before they were already acting lovey-dovey again. Sam's introduction felt short, and I felt that, as a reader, I barely got to know him before the two start seeing each other again. I would have loved to see more scenes of them getting to know each other again, after being apart for so long. For the most part, I liked Sam, but I so wish we had more scenes and we learnt more about him. I also wanted Lilian to take her time in forgiving Sam, but I do understand why she forgave him so quickly.
But overall, I did enjoy reading The Anatomy of Magic for its beautiful writing and the way it portrayed love (both romantic and familial). I also didn't realise this was a spin-off/sequel of another book, which now, I am definitely adding to my TBR!
Thank you Headline Eternal for providing me an e-ARC through NetGalley!
March 5, 2025
4.25 stars
Thank you NetGalley & Harlequin Audio for this advanced reader copy of the audiobook (releasing March 11)
I have been searching for magical realism like this! Perfect for fans of Isabel Allende & Abby Jimenez, this book follows Lily Estrada as she travels back to her childhood home in Mexico, and the flowers that Estrada women owe their magic to.
Magic system: this is certainly magical realism, heavy on the realism. Each woman has a specific way of weaving magic from the flowers, and many powers mirror ancient medicine & folklore in their effects. I enjoyed how grounded in nature this magic was, and the prose used to describe it.
Setting: oh how I wish I could visit the Estrada flower fields and Sam’s horse farm! Would *charming* be too much of a pun?
Romance: while I enjoyed the overall love story and found myself rooting for Lily & Sam, I wish we had a bit more time exploring their early relationship, and intentional actions & scenes as they came together.
Theming: memories, long kept secrets, consequences, family ties, and healing
This was my first of J.C.’s novels, and certainly won’t be my last!
Thank you NetGalley & Harlequin Audio for this advanced reader copy of the audiobook (releasing March 11)
I have been searching for magical realism like this! Perfect for fans of Isabel Allende & Abby Jimenez, this book follows Lily Estrada as she travels back to her childhood home in Mexico, and the flowers that Estrada women owe their magic to.
Magic system: this is certainly magical realism, heavy on the realism. Each woman has a specific way of weaving magic from the flowers, and many powers mirror ancient medicine & folklore in their effects. I enjoyed how grounded in nature this magic was, and the prose used to describe it.
Setting: oh how I wish I could visit the Estrada flower fields and Sam’s horse farm! Would *charming* be too much of a pun?
Romance: while I enjoyed the overall love story and found myself rooting for Lily & Sam, I wish we had a bit more time exploring their early relationship, and intentional actions & scenes as they came together.
Theming: memories, long kept secrets, consequences, family ties, and healing
This was my first of J.C.’s novels, and certainly won’t be my last!
April 4, 2025
When I saw the cover for The Anatomy of Magic with the magical flowers, I knew I had to pick it up. What I got was an adult contemporary second chance romance with Encanto vibes that I enjoyed from start to end.
Apparently, this is the second of a series, with the first book, The Enchanted Hacienda, following Lillian’s sister, Harlow. Though you don’t have to read the first book to enjoy this one. I didn’t read the first book prior to reading this.
When it comes to ‘romantasy� as a genre, my usual favorites are contemporary romances with a fantastical element, and this book, a women’s fiction book with magical flowers, fits the bill. As a heads up, this book has some depictions of surgical procedures, some swearing and some semi-explicit sex scenes.
Lillian is an OBGYN who’s recovering from a tragic and traumatic experience at work. She returns to her magical home and family in Mexico to reflect, wrangle in her out of control memory magic, and help her family for a few days. However, an encounter with an old love throws off all her plans.
The characters were good, and I enjoyed Lillian’s journey as she deals with both what happened to her at her job and her love life. She’s a bit headstrong, but wants to let go it it means getting everything back on track. It was intriguing to see Lilian fight her magical heritage with her scientific training, as she was trying to explain things, and does effect some choices she makes. The second chance romance was developed well, as it’s not as it first looks and there’s a bunch of things to work out as they reconnect.
The setting of this magical house in a small Mexican town gave this story a whimsical feel. I enjoyed how Mexican culture and mythology were also weaved along with the flower magic that defined the story. The sisterhood bonds and family legacy was loyal and strong. The themes of second chances and unearthing old secrets for healing were done well. Overall, the story was warm despite some dark moments and topics.
It has some fast pacing, maybe a bit too quick in spots, I wish there was a tiny bit of slowdown on a couple of spots to really take in the setting and some of the secondary characters a little more. It’s only eight hours on audio.
Diana Bustelo did a great job with the narration and range of the characters and it felt like going back home in a way.
*I received an ARC from Netgalley and Harlequin Audio. All opinions are my own.*
Apparently, this is the second of a series, with the first book, The Enchanted Hacienda, following Lillian’s sister, Harlow. Though you don’t have to read the first book to enjoy this one. I didn’t read the first book prior to reading this.
When it comes to ‘romantasy� as a genre, my usual favorites are contemporary romances with a fantastical element, and this book, a women’s fiction book with magical flowers, fits the bill. As a heads up, this book has some depictions of surgical procedures, some swearing and some semi-explicit sex scenes.
Lillian is an OBGYN who’s recovering from a tragic and traumatic experience at work. She returns to her magical home and family in Mexico to reflect, wrangle in her out of control memory magic, and help her family for a few days. However, an encounter with an old love throws off all her plans.
The characters were good, and I enjoyed Lillian’s journey as she deals with both what happened to her at her job and her love life. She’s a bit headstrong, but wants to let go it it means getting everything back on track. It was intriguing to see Lilian fight her magical heritage with her scientific training, as she was trying to explain things, and does effect some choices she makes. The second chance romance was developed well, as it’s not as it first looks and there’s a bunch of things to work out as they reconnect.
The setting of this magical house in a small Mexican town gave this story a whimsical feel. I enjoyed how Mexican culture and mythology were also weaved along with the flower magic that defined the story. The sisterhood bonds and family legacy was loyal and strong. The themes of second chances and unearthing old secrets for healing were done well. Overall, the story was warm despite some dark moments and topics.
It has some fast pacing, maybe a bit too quick in spots, I wish there was a tiny bit of slowdown on a couple of spots to really take in the setting and some of the secondary characters a little more. It’s only eight hours on audio.
Diana Bustelo did a great job with the narration and range of the characters and it felt like going back home in a way.
*I received an ARC from Netgalley and Harlequin Audio. All opinions are my own.*
November 16, 2024
Thank you Net Galley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for providing me with an ARC to this magical story.
I very much enjoyed the magic around the flowers and the family dynamics but the beginning progressed so slowly as we were trying to find out everything going on with Lily and then everything happened a little too quickly around Sam and the family magic.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and didn’t realize it was part of a series! I look forward to reading more about the rest of the sisters
I very much enjoyed the magic around the flowers and the family dynamics but the beginning progressed so slowly as we were trying to find out everything going on with Lily and then everything happened a little too quickly around Sam and the family magic.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and didn’t realize it was part of a series! I look forward to reading more about the rest of the sisters
April 17, 2025
Lillian has everything locked down. She's successful and self-assured but when confronted with her past, she unravels when tragedy strikes and everything she thought to be true isn't. Lilian returns home for respite to her family's flower farm in Mexico. Her first love, Sam, is back in the picture and she grapples with all of her loose threads.
While the first book, The Enchanted Hacienda, quite literally enchanted me, The Anatomy of Magic didn't stand up to its sister (for me). I liked it but didn't love it, to my regret. I think it just lacked some of the whimsy of the first. That being said, I think that the setting continues to be entertaining and I adore the family as a whole. I love the new glimpses into the family farm! But most of all, I'm curious what will come of the other sisters and cousins.
Diana Bustelo, who is new to me, narrates this 8+ hour audiobook. I really liked the rasp to her voice and how she performed Lilian's POV.
Thank you to HTP and Netgalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
While the first book, The Enchanted Hacienda, quite literally enchanted me, The Anatomy of Magic didn't stand up to its sister (for me). I liked it but didn't love it, to my regret. I think it just lacked some of the whimsy of the first. That being said, I think that the setting continues to be entertaining and I adore the family as a whole. I love the new glimpses into the family farm! But most of all, I'm curious what will come of the other sisters and cousins.
Diana Bustelo, who is new to me, narrates this 8+ hour audiobook. I really liked the rasp to her voice and how she performed Lilian's POV.
Thank you to HTP and Netgalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
September 2, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for providing this book, with my honest review below.
The Anatomy of Magic was a highly entertaining and heart warming story about a family of witches, one in particular who has closed off her heart to love to the point that it is impacting the very fabric of her magic. Lili is at first the strong woman she wants everyone to think she is. A doctor who hasn’t needed anyone, everything starts to come crashing down on her and in the process the glorious flowers her and her family’s magic has a symbiotic relationship with start to suffer. I loved the concept of magic in this story, how the family gained it and the exploration of what they should do for it. But more than that I adored Lili’s relationship with her family and with Sam, and of course Bullet.
I have read quite a few books about witches and magic but not one recently that showed so much ingenuity. I recommend this for anyone with an interest in the subject (and if you have a passion for gardens if won’t hurt at all).
The Anatomy of Magic was a highly entertaining and heart warming story about a family of witches, one in particular who has closed off her heart to love to the point that it is impacting the very fabric of her magic. Lili is at first the strong woman she wants everyone to think she is. A doctor who hasn’t needed anyone, everything starts to come crashing down on her and in the process the glorious flowers her and her family’s magic has a symbiotic relationship with start to suffer. I loved the concept of magic in this story, how the family gained it and the exploration of what they should do for it. But more than that I adored Lili’s relationship with her family and with Sam, and of course Bullet.
I have read quite a few books about witches and magic but not one recently that showed so much ingenuity. I recommend this for anyone with an interest in the subject (and if you have a passion for gardens if won’t hurt at all).
March 9, 2025
2.5 stars
I received this book for free, this does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review
“I spelled my heart.�
Second in the Estrada Family series, The Anatomy of Magic is about Lily, the youngest sister. If you read the first (The Enchanted Hacienda) you'll know that generations ago, an Estrada woman made a desperate deal with the Aztec goddess Mayahuel. The deal was for every female descendant to be blessed with their own brand of magic that is enhanced by plants and flowers. Lily's magic is memory and when a patient's son utters a line from her past, she is shocked into a distant memory and then tragically loses for the first time a patient on the operating table. This causes her to go home to her family flower farm in Mexico and face the consequences of the intensified memory spell she put on herself to try and forget her first love Sam.
“It’s because something else is taking up space in your heart, and you have to heal that.�
Told all from Lily's point-of-view this was a more sedate moving story about how not dealing with past pains can bubble up and impact you when you least expect it. It's a magical realism setting with the flower magic and a family generational story, even though each book takes turns focusing on a different Estrada woman. There's the love interest Sam, who doesn't appear until around the 25% mark, but his character isn't so much there for his story to be told but in service of showing how Lily is the way she is today and how she has to work through that. The love thread is a second chance romance as the two were childhood sweethearts and then eleven years ago when they were nineteen, Sam out of nowhere says he doesn't love her anymore, giving no other explanation. This causes Lily to spell her heart to try and forget their years long love but also works to deaden her emotionally somewhat. The story was more about Lily discovering she should feel again and how she could go about it than showing Lily and Sam working together to resolve their past pain. A little later into the second half, Sam tells Lily why he broke up with her and Lily pretty much forgives him right away. The romance arc was more working through Lily's pain, hearing the reason she always wondered about, and then immediately moving on to we're in love.
“Azalea came to me in a dream,� I say.
“AԻ?�
“She told me to go back to the beginning.�
The ending has some family and magical drama from a decision Lily makes but we get a resolving of that for no cliff-hangers, also an epilogue to deliver what looks like a Lily and Sam worked out happily ever after. I enjoyed the continued magical realism aspects and Estrada family relationships that were laid out in the first, you could pick this up as a standalone as there's enough relaying to clue new readers in, but the pace got a little slow for me as Lily glummed around. I also missed the romance thread being stronger and having more working through to give the second chance more impact. This wasn't the strongest installment for me but I'm still entranced by the Estrada women and their flower farm and will be looking out for the next one to fall in love.
I received this book for free, this does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review
“I spelled my heart.�
Second in the Estrada Family series, The Anatomy of Magic is about Lily, the youngest sister. If you read the first (The Enchanted Hacienda) you'll know that generations ago, an Estrada woman made a desperate deal with the Aztec goddess Mayahuel. The deal was for every female descendant to be blessed with their own brand of magic that is enhanced by plants and flowers. Lily's magic is memory and when a patient's son utters a line from her past, she is shocked into a distant memory and then tragically loses for the first time a patient on the operating table. This causes her to go home to her family flower farm in Mexico and face the consequences of the intensified memory spell she put on herself to try and forget her first love Sam.
“It’s because something else is taking up space in your heart, and you have to heal that.�
Told all from Lily's point-of-view this was a more sedate moving story about how not dealing with past pains can bubble up and impact you when you least expect it. It's a magical realism setting with the flower magic and a family generational story, even though each book takes turns focusing on a different Estrada woman. There's the love interest Sam, who doesn't appear until around the 25% mark, but his character isn't so much there for his story to be told but in service of showing how Lily is the way she is today and how she has to work through that. The love thread is a second chance romance as the two were childhood sweethearts and then eleven years ago when they were nineteen, Sam out of nowhere says he doesn't love her anymore, giving no other explanation. This causes Lily to spell her heart to try and forget their years long love but also works to deaden her emotionally somewhat. The story was more about Lily discovering she should feel again and how she could go about it than showing Lily and Sam working together to resolve their past pain. A little later into the second half, Sam tells Lily why he broke up with her and Lily pretty much forgives him right away. The romance arc was more working through Lily's pain, hearing the reason she always wondered about, and then immediately moving on to we're in love.
“Azalea came to me in a dream,� I say.
“AԻ?�
“She told me to go back to the beginning.�
The ending has some family and magical drama from a decision Lily makes but we get a resolving of that for no cliff-hangers, also an epilogue to deliver what looks like a Lily and Sam worked out happily ever after. I enjoyed the continued magical realism aspects and Estrada family relationships that were laid out in the first, you could pick this up as a standalone as there's enough relaying to clue new readers in, but the pace got a little slow for me as Lily glummed around. I also missed the romance thread being stronger and having more working through to give the second chance more impact. This wasn't the strongest installment for me but I'm still entranced by the Estrada women and their flower farm and will be looking out for the next one to fall in love.
March 8, 2025
I was settled on 3 stars for most of the story, but the final 10% of the book raised my rating to a 4.
The story starts off a bit slow. We follow Lily, an ob-gyn resident who arrives at the Estrada family home in Mexico for the annual celebration of flowers, having arrived early after an unfortunate incident at the hospital. The first few chapters include a lot of exposition, with the magical aspect of the story remaining quite subdued.
The plot finally picks up at the 30% mark when Lily comes face to face with Sam, the first love she put a spell on her heart to forget. As she is pushed to understand the truth of their separation while still coping with the hospital event, Lily is forced to open up and reveal all that she has hidden in her heart for the past decade.
The 80% mark is where we really witness the full extent of Lily’s and her family’s powers. Before this, it was pretty difficult to see how her power was any better than having a really good memory, but as revealed truths push her to action, we finally learn the rules and limits of their family’s magic.
I will say, June's choices in the second half of this story are a bit painful to read. These decisions made sense in the story's context - she had just lifted the spell from her heart after ten years, and now she was feeling the onslaught of emotions that had been sealed in her heart. So yes, many of her choices are driven by emotion, which is understandable. A point came when I was begging her to stop for 2 seconds to think about the consequences.
The end is really where all the themes come together. Until then, it was difficult to understand what her recent hospital incident had to do with Sam, why she was so hung up on keeping things from her family, and what role the family magic would play in Lily’s story. I was desperately waiting for the full circle moment and was so glad to get it in the end.
What I loved the most was the family flower magic and the romance. I really liked that the family’s magic revolved around the land’s history. Working with flowers and their meanings is a huge component of their magic. The magic system isn’t as showy or outrageously powerful as seen in other stories, but its subtle nature only lends to the story and matches well with the book’s points about life and connection.
As for the romance, Lily and Sam’s journey made my heart ache. The writing does a great job of making us experience Lily’s building emotions. Even though I couldn’t relate to Lily based on experience, I felt deeply connected to her. Never has a story felt so personal. Lily and Sam's love for each other is beautiful, putting me through the deepest heartbreak, affection, despair, and hope. I loved their love.
This review wound up being way longer than intended, but in conclusion, The Anatomy of Life is a story well worth reading, and I am looking forward to returning to this book again.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the ALC!
The story starts off a bit slow. We follow Lily, an ob-gyn resident who arrives at the Estrada family home in Mexico for the annual celebration of flowers, having arrived early after an unfortunate incident at the hospital. The first few chapters include a lot of exposition, with the magical aspect of the story remaining quite subdued.
The plot finally picks up at the 30% mark when Lily comes face to face with Sam, the first love she put a spell on her heart to forget. As she is pushed to understand the truth of their separation while still coping with the hospital event, Lily is forced to open up and reveal all that she has hidden in her heart for the past decade.
The 80% mark is where we really witness the full extent of Lily’s and her family’s powers. Before this, it was pretty difficult to see how her power was any better than having a really good memory, but as revealed truths push her to action, we finally learn the rules and limits of their family’s magic.
I will say, June's choices in the second half of this story are a bit painful to read. These decisions made sense in the story's context - she had just lifted the spell from her heart after ten years, and now she was feeling the onslaught of emotions that had been sealed in her heart. So yes, many of her choices are driven by emotion, which is understandable. A point came when I was begging her to stop for 2 seconds to think about the consequences.
The end is really where all the themes come together. Until then, it was difficult to understand what her recent hospital incident had to do with Sam, why she was so hung up on keeping things from her family, and what role the family magic would play in Lily’s story. I was desperately waiting for the full circle moment and was so glad to get it in the end.
What I loved the most was the family flower magic and the romance. I really liked that the family’s magic revolved around the land’s history. Working with flowers and their meanings is a huge component of their magic. The magic system isn’t as showy or outrageously powerful as seen in other stories, but its subtle nature only lends to the story and matches well with the book’s points about life and connection.
As for the romance, Lily and Sam’s journey made my heart ache. The writing does a great job of making us experience Lily’s building emotions. Even though I couldn’t relate to Lily based on experience, I felt deeply connected to her. Never has a story felt so personal. Lily and Sam's love for each other is beautiful, putting me through the deepest heartbreak, affection, despair, and hope. I loved their love.
This review wound up being way longer than intended, but in conclusion, The Anatomy of Life is a story well worth reading, and I am looking forward to returning to this book again.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the ALC!
March 20, 2025
(3.75⭐️)
A mystical and sweet story about second chances, new beginnings and the power of family and love.
Disclaimer: I read this as an audiobook via NetGalley. Thank you so much to NetGalley for the free ALC of this book. All opinions are my own. This is my honest and voluntary review.
This is an interconnected standalone to the author's other work, The Enchanted Hacienda. We follow another member of the Estrada family, Lily, an obstetrician who is dealing with a very messy portion of her life. She decides to head home during a leave from the hospital and has to deal with a bunch of situations she has been avoiding for a long time. Lily has memory magic through the family's farm flowers, and her magic is being affected by all of the heartbreaks that she is currently not dealing with.
Going back home for a friend wedding she runs into her old flame, Sam, from back when she was younger before medical school. Sam abruptly ended their relationship with no closure or reason why and Lily has always struggled with that now it's time for Lily to face and find out why their relationship ended, and if they could begin anew.
I really love the magical realism woven throughout the story. I found the descriptions of flowers and their mystical properties to be very interesting and informative. I love how the author clearly researched what flowers mean and wove that accurately into her work. I really like how open honest and forward the family is with each other. I would really be interested in seeing a tree cool to this of the grandmother or learning more about the mother in general and their magic. It seems very interesting and would make a great story. I also liked the different magical spells and how they were described and performed throughout the story.
I did have a few things with the story that were harder for me. First of all, I had trouble with the pacing, the story did move very slowly at times. I also had some issues with how brazen Lily was with the possessions of a man that she literally had not seen in decades and had no real relationship with anymore. Like girl, why are you going through his house? Willie also continuously made decisions that I don't feel a woman of her educational caliber would be making. I understand the emotions were high and give some grace for that, but some of her decisions I was just screaming at my Kindle in disbelief lol. I also do not like the reason that Sam eventually reveals that he ended their relationship years earlier. I am not a fan of a love interest taking away choices from another love interest on the sly. Like honestly, unforgivable. This eventually ended up throwing the chemistry I felt for the two main characters into a little bit of turmoil and made it slightly unbelievable for me.
The premise family relationships and overall themes of finding oneself and happiness wherever you go, and embracing possibilities did redeem the story for me overall though.
A mystical and sweet story about second chances, new beginnings and the power of family and love.
Disclaimer: I read this as an audiobook via NetGalley. Thank you so much to NetGalley for the free ALC of this book. All opinions are my own. This is my honest and voluntary review.
This is an interconnected standalone to the author's other work, The Enchanted Hacienda. We follow another member of the Estrada family, Lily, an obstetrician who is dealing with a very messy portion of her life. She decides to head home during a leave from the hospital and has to deal with a bunch of situations she has been avoiding for a long time. Lily has memory magic through the family's farm flowers, and her magic is being affected by all of the heartbreaks that she is currently not dealing with.
Going back home for a friend wedding she runs into her old flame, Sam, from back when she was younger before medical school. Sam abruptly ended their relationship with no closure or reason why and Lily has always struggled with that now it's time for Lily to face and find out why their relationship ended, and if they could begin anew.
I really love the magical realism woven throughout the story. I found the descriptions of flowers and their mystical properties to be very interesting and informative. I love how the author clearly researched what flowers mean and wove that accurately into her work. I really like how open honest and forward the family is with each other. I would really be interested in seeing a tree cool to this of the grandmother or learning more about the mother in general and their magic. It seems very interesting and would make a great story. I also liked the different magical spells and how they were described and performed throughout the story.
I did have a few things with the story that were harder for me. First of all, I had trouble with the pacing, the story did move very slowly at times. I also had some issues with how brazen Lily was with the possessions of a man that she literally had not seen in decades and had no real relationship with anymore. Like girl, why are you going through his house? Willie also continuously made decisions that I don't feel a woman of her educational caliber would be making. I understand the emotions were high and give some grace for that, but some of her decisions I was just screaming at my Kindle in disbelief lol. I also do not like the reason that Sam eventually reveals that he ended their relationship years earlier. I am not a fan of a love interest taking away choices from another love interest on the sly. Like honestly, unforgivable. This eventually ended up throwing the chemistry I felt for the two main characters into a little bit of turmoil and made it slightly unbelievable for me.
The premise family relationships and overall themes of finding oneself and happiness wherever you go, and embracing possibilities did redeem the story for me overall though.
January 17, 2025
J.C. Cervantes is one of my favorite Latin American magical realism authors, along with Silvia Moreno-Garcia (“Mexican Gothic�) and Isabel Cañas (“The Vampires of El Norte�), who write darker tomes. “The Anatomy of Magic� fits into this genre, although with more romance and definitely more flowers, and the novel is filled with mystical plants, personal magic, and spells for healing. The same family who inhabited “The Enchanted Hacienda� are part of this story � it’s not quite a sequel, but another tale involving a different Estrada sister, Lily.
As an OB-GYN fleeing a recent bad outcome at her hospital, Lily returns to her home in Mexico, the magical flower farm where her family of women can cast certain spells by using flowers. Lily’s personal magic involves memories � retention, reclamation, intensification, forgetting. But she unexpectedly encounters memories of her first love, Sam, who basically ghosted her after stealing her heart a decade earlier. She had shielded her heart and memory of him and now, along with her worrying absence of her ability to smell the scent of flowers, that protection has faded. The advice she gets is to undo the spell, unveil her heart, and endure the consequences.
This is a supernatural second chance romance story with the mystical floral elements I love about magic realism. It’s a steady story that will eventually reveal why Lily and Sam abruptly broke up and involves major magic to reach a resolution. Bouquets are burned, floriography is consulted, gardens are depleted overnight; and suddenly, everything is different and better. I hope we have a chance to meet the magical potential of another member of the family like Lana. 5 stars!
Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): NO The hazel eyes mentioned are more brown than green.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO Well, anything goes with mystical flowers. An unenchanted normal Mexican garden would not have peonies, hydrangeas, jacarandas, and jasmine blooming simultaneously in January; but roses and delphinium, yes.
Thank you to Park Row/HarperCollins and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy!
As an OB-GYN fleeing a recent bad outcome at her hospital, Lily returns to her home in Mexico, the magical flower farm where her family of women can cast certain spells by using flowers. Lily’s personal magic involves memories � retention, reclamation, intensification, forgetting. But she unexpectedly encounters memories of her first love, Sam, who basically ghosted her after stealing her heart a decade earlier. She had shielded her heart and memory of him and now, along with her worrying absence of her ability to smell the scent of flowers, that protection has faded. The advice she gets is to undo the spell, unveil her heart, and endure the consequences.
This is a supernatural second chance romance story with the mystical floral elements I love about magic realism. It’s a steady story that will eventually reveal why Lily and Sam abruptly broke up and involves major magic to reach a resolution. Bouquets are burned, floriography is consulted, gardens are depleted overnight; and suddenly, everything is different and better. I hope we have a chance to meet the magical potential of another member of the family like Lana. 5 stars!
Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): NO The hazel eyes mentioned are more brown than green.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO Well, anything goes with mystical flowers. An unenchanted normal Mexican garden would not have peonies, hydrangeas, jacarandas, and jasmine blooming simultaneously in January; but roses and delphinium, yes.
Thank you to Park Row/HarperCollins and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy!
March 29, 2025
Lily Estrada is a badass OB-GYN in L.A. living her best Type-A life until—bam!—a trauma in the OR knocks her off her axis, both literally and magically. One second she’s a surgeon, the next she’s dropping everything and fleeing to her family’s enchanted flower farm in Mexico like she’s starring in her own magical telenovela. And honestly? Mood.
The Estrada women are magic. Literal magic. Each one has her own power tied to the land, the flowers, the vibes. Lily’s gift? Memory magic. As in, she can go in and edit your memories. Rewind. Delete. Mute the pain. Cool trick, right? Except her magic is glitching like a cursed iPhone and now she's having memory flashes of her own heartbreak—the one she's tried very hard to suppress under years of professional achievement and emotional repression.
And wouldn’t you know it? The man who shattered her in college, Sam—oh, sweet ghosting Sam—pops up at a family wedding like, “Hey! Missed you.� Sir, you vanished. You’re lucky she doesn’t hex your kidneys.
Lily’s trying to keep it together, but between the glitchy powers, the family drama, and Sam’s stupid face being all nostalgic and hot, she’s spiraling. Because, surprise: maybe his disappearance wasn’t totally his fault. Maybe there are generational secrets. Maybe there's a whole magic-based conspiracy. And maybe Lily isn’t just healing from trauma—she’s unraveling the story she thought she knew about herself.
This book is grief and power and sexy regret rolled into one very floral, very emotionally volatile burrito. It's about women trying to hold everything together while the universe throws everything at them—betrayal, expectation, ghosts from the past, and literal magic surges that could fry your memories like eggs on a summer sidewalk.
Three and a half stars. The Anatomy of Magic is a messy, heartfelt, generational saga about remembering too much, forgiving what you shouldn’t have to, and deciding whether the past is worth rewriting—or finally letting bloom into something new.
The Estrada women are magic. Literal magic. Each one has her own power tied to the land, the flowers, the vibes. Lily’s gift? Memory magic. As in, she can go in and edit your memories. Rewind. Delete. Mute the pain. Cool trick, right? Except her magic is glitching like a cursed iPhone and now she's having memory flashes of her own heartbreak—the one she's tried very hard to suppress under years of professional achievement and emotional repression.
And wouldn’t you know it? The man who shattered her in college, Sam—oh, sweet ghosting Sam—pops up at a family wedding like, “Hey! Missed you.� Sir, you vanished. You’re lucky she doesn’t hex your kidneys.
Lily’s trying to keep it together, but between the glitchy powers, the family drama, and Sam’s stupid face being all nostalgic and hot, she’s spiraling. Because, surprise: maybe his disappearance wasn’t totally his fault. Maybe there are generational secrets. Maybe there's a whole magic-based conspiracy. And maybe Lily isn’t just healing from trauma—she’s unraveling the story she thought she knew about herself.
This book is grief and power and sexy regret rolled into one very floral, very emotionally volatile burrito. It's about women trying to hold everything together while the universe throws everything at them—betrayal, expectation, ghosts from the past, and literal magic surges that could fry your memories like eggs on a summer sidewalk.
Three and a half stars. The Anatomy of Magic is a messy, heartfelt, generational saga about remembering too much, forgiving what you shouldn’t have to, and deciding whether the past is worth rewriting—or finally letting bloom into something new.
September 25, 2024
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
I loved this book! I felt like it was fun, entertaining and well-rounded.
MAGIC:
The magic system was so unique and probably my favorite thing about this book. The Flowers? How interesting that their family's ancestral power is linked to the magical soil and flowers. The flowers hold the power. It reminded me a lot of the Disney movie Encanto (where the magic is in the house/a candle)
CHARACTERS:
Lilian and Sam were one rollercoaster of a ride. Lil, the tough "i dont need anyone" persona matched with the "sees good in everyone" Sam. Lilian's story is so relatable, hiding and guarding your heart after a devastating heartbreak. I do feel as though her inner monologue got redundant at times and had me saying "we get it, move on." And maybe that's just me a personal reaction to her character. I also didn't like how easily she forgave Sam. I understand he was sick, but before she even knew he was sick, she was already falling back in love with the man that DESTROYED her. I personally feel like he could have groveled for longer, there should have been a "1 year later" situation where after a year of them being friends again, they rekindled their relationship.
The rest of the Estrada family was perfect. I actually enjoyed the side characters banter more than the main FMC. Lana, Harlow, Rosa... all perfect.
ROMANCE:
Wow, the longing, the lust, the "first love never dies", it was POTENT and POWERFUL in this book. Had me hot and bothered all over. Sam and Lil have undeniable chemistry and I think it was beautiful written without being explicit or overtly sexual.
OVERALL:
I loved that I read this book during Latin Heritage month (as a Latina myself). What a fun and enjoyable ride through a magical hacienda in Mexico filled with secrets, love, power and forgiveness.
Bravo J.C. Cervantes! A beautiful book!
I loved this book! I felt like it was fun, entertaining and well-rounded.
MAGIC:
The magic system was so unique and probably my favorite thing about this book. The Flowers? How interesting that their family's ancestral power is linked to the magical soil and flowers. The flowers hold the power. It reminded me a lot of the Disney movie Encanto (where the magic is in the house/a candle)
CHARACTERS:
Lilian and Sam were one rollercoaster of a ride. Lil, the tough "i dont need anyone" persona matched with the "sees good in everyone" Sam. Lilian's story is so relatable, hiding and guarding your heart after a devastating heartbreak. I do feel as though her inner monologue got redundant at times and had me saying "we get it, move on." And maybe that's just me a personal reaction to her character. I also didn't like how easily she forgave Sam. I understand he was sick, but before she even knew he was sick, she was already falling back in love with the man that DESTROYED her. I personally feel like he could have groveled for longer, there should have been a "1 year later" situation where after a year of them being friends again, they rekindled their relationship.
The rest of the Estrada family was perfect. I actually enjoyed the side characters banter more than the main FMC. Lana, Harlow, Rosa... all perfect.
ROMANCE:
Wow, the longing, the lust, the "first love never dies", it was POTENT and POWERFUL in this book. Had me hot and bothered all over. Sam and Lil have undeniable chemistry and I think it was beautiful written without being explicit or overtly sexual.
OVERALL:
I loved that I read this book during Latin Heritage month (as a Latina myself). What a fun and enjoyable ride through a magical hacienda in Mexico filled with secrets, love, power and forgiveness.
Bravo J.C. Cervantes! A beautiful book!
January 20, 2025
3.5 stars
I loved The Enchanted Hacienda and was so excited to dive into this companion novel! The Estrada women, with their ancestral, flower-based magic, are so fascinating. I love how the story is rooted in Aztec mythology, with the goddess Mayahuel granting them their individualized magic and their names. These books are the perfect blend of magical realism and romance!
While the relationships and familial bonds are huge focus of the story, my favorite part was the larger focus on Lily’s memory magic and the ways in which the goddess is still present in their lives. I could read pages of their family history and mythos alone!
Lily’s relationship with Sam was honestly the weak point of her story for me. There was a quick resolution to his disappearance from her life, and even though they were childhood sweethearts, it gave big instalove vibes that didn’t seem realistic. I think the novel would have benefited from a longer romantic period where they got to know each other again, alongside the conflict involving Lily’s connection to her memory magic and the family’s flowers.
I also think there should be clearer marketing that this book is a companion novel/sequel to The Enchanted Hacienda. While this story discusses the family and the origins of their magic, I think someone reading The Anatomy of Magic first would be missing key elements important to the plot, like a clearer understanding of who’s who in the family and a fuller background of the hacienda and its magic.
Overall, this was an extremely fast-paced read, and I loved getting to know more about the individual women of the Estrada family. Lily was one of the more withdrawn characters in the first book, and it was fun to dive into her head and understand her past and personality. I would definitely read more stories featuring the other members of the family and their magic!
Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Park Row Books for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
I loved The Enchanted Hacienda and was so excited to dive into this companion novel! The Estrada women, with their ancestral, flower-based magic, are so fascinating. I love how the story is rooted in Aztec mythology, with the goddess Mayahuel granting them their individualized magic and their names. These books are the perfect blend of magical realism and romance!
While the relationships and familial bonds are huge focus of the story, my favorite part was the larger focus on Lily’s memory magic and the ways in which the goddess is still present in their lives. I could read pages of their family history and mythos alone!
Lily’s relationship with Sam was honestly the weak point of her story for me. There was a quick resolution to his disappearance from her life, and even though they were childhood sweethearts, it gave big instalove vibes that didn’t seem realistic. I think the novel would have benefited from a longer romantic period where they got to know each other again, alongside the conflict involving Lily’s connection to her memory magic and the family’s flowers.
I also think there should be clearer marketing that this book is a companion novel/sequel to The Enchanted Hacienda. While this story discusses the family and the origins of their magic, I think someone reading The Anatomy of Magic first would be missing key elements important to the plot, like a clearer understanding of who’s who in the family and a fuller background of the hacienda and its magic.
Overall, this was an extremely fast-paced read, and I loved getting to know more about the individual women of the Estrada family. Lily was one of the more withdrawn characters in the first book, and it was fun to dive into her head and understand her past and personality. I would definitely read more stories featuring the other members of the family and their magic!
Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Park Row Books for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
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