REVIEW:

The Vanishing of Josephine Reynolds by Jennifer Moorman is the second book I’ve read by this author. I read The Baker’s Man by her that I totally enjoyed. This one had so many things that I enjoyed about it and for some reason it didn’t all come together for me. I can’t put my finger on it.

The main character is Josephine Reynolds who is a young widow. She doesn’t know how to pull herself out of the grief she is experiencing. Her sister talks her into buying their old ancestral home that belonged to her great-grandmother. I was drawn to the story of a young widow. 

She lives in Nashville, Tennessee near my town. That was interesting because the house sits in a historical part of town. I enjoyed her run-ins with the neighborhood historical society president which led her to find the original door to the house and have it installed. This door becomes her entry into 1927 and meeting her great-grandmother Alma as a young widow herself. We soon learn that Alma runs a speakeasy in her basement! How fun would that be and imagine meeting your great-grandmother as a young woman?

Jennifer Moorman did a wonderful job building the suspense but, maybe she did too good of a job for me. I became attached to the characters and worried about their demise. I hated to keep reading. I was afraid of what I would learn. I will have to say that at the end I had warm feelings for the book. I was hoping for a sequel but I think that might be a little too weird. You’ll see what I mean.

I almost think someday I will go back and read this book again knowing how nicely everything works out. At least most of it does. If you like Magical Realism, you will likely love this book. I definitely think you should consider this one for your reading stack! 

Until next time…Happy Reading!

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I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author, Netgalley and Harper Collins. The opinions I have expressed are my own and I was not required to write a review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

SYNOPSIS:

“The Vanishing of Josephine Reynolds drips with lush Jazz Age detail, a vivid cast of characters, and a protagonist whose future literally depends on her ability to navigate the past.” –Barbara Davis, bestselling author of The Echo of Old Books

“Moorman delivers a heartwarming story of love, loss, and time travel . . . readers will be captivated by Moorman’s lovely descriptions of the 1920s.” –Publishers Weekly

“Part fantasy, part romance, part coming-of-age story, this sweetly told tale of a woman’s search for her true self is imbued with Moorman’s trademark touch of magic.” –Kirkus

A captivating tale of family bonds and unexpected chances, threaded with the thrilling magic of time travel, by the author of The Baker’s Man and The Magic All Around.

Can one thoughtless wish erase a life?

Widowed at thirty-five, Josephine Reynolds wishes she could disappear, but her concerned sister convinces her to buy their ancestral home, a Craftsman bungalow in disrepair and foreclosure. It’s a welcome distraction, and Josephine can’t believe her luck when she finds the home’s original door in a salvage yard.

When she installs the door and steps through it, Josephine is transported into 1927, where she meets her great-grandmother Alma, a vivacious and daring woman running an illegal speakeasy in the bungalow’s basement. Immersed in the vibrant Jazz Age, Josephine forms a profound bond with Alma, only to discover upon her return to the present that history has been altered. Alma’s life was tragically cut short in a speakeasy raid just a week after their fateful meeting.

Josephine has a chilling revelation–her own existence is unraveling/vanishing–and she must race against time to rewrite history. Josephine is desperate to not only save Alma but save her own future in a time-bending journey where past and present intertwine in a desperate battle for survival.

Infused with Jennifer Moorman’s signature blend of magical detail and heartfelt storytelling, The Vanishing of Josephine Reynolds is a tale of resilience in the face of loss and a testament to the timeless bond of family.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR