5/5 Stars!

I’ve been waiting for this sequel since the day I finished book 1, Magic O’clock.

I pre-ordered, joined the blog tour and re-read book 1… twice.

And like Archie Royle’s daughter, I still wasn’t ready. I was caught off-guard not by the depth of emotions, but the sheer weight.

Archie’s death is no mystery or plot twist. The author laid it right out there in the blurb. You know it will happen.

Just as Archie’s family knew the end was approaching. And as his youngest daughter resigned herself to that fact when she had to place him in a skilled care facility.

But it was with a broken heart she, at last, accepted it as pneumonia joined the Dementia in taking him farther away from her. However, as prepared as she was, losing him takes her to her knees… and I was right there with her.

Death sometimes brings out the worst in those left behind. When anger flares, jealousies, slights, and resentments thought long-forgotten get tossed around like a beach ball. The youngest daughter knew she’d committed no offenses against her two older sisters out of spite or otherwise, but she allowed their bad attitudes… until she didn’t, and when she digs her heels in, she goes from her father’s biggest fan to his staunchest advocate. The gloves come off and she holds nothing back. Great scene!

When family and friends gather to say their goodbyes to Archie, his baby girl is surprised at the new insight she gets into the man she thought she knew so well. It comforts her and helps to close the divide between her and her older sisters.

My first tears fell at only 20% into this short read. Where book 1 inspired memories of my own father’s last days, Magical Memories brings to mind memories shared and that had me smiling by 88%.

ANY reader would enjoy Magical Memories, regardless of preferred genre. I highly recommend downloading books 1 and 2 and reading them together. Readers shouldn’t be leery of tags like death and grief because, at its core, Magical Memories isn’t about how Archie Royle died but about how much he was loved.

Enjoy!

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Magical Memories

As Archie Royle takes his final breath, three sisters race to say their goodbyes.

Two don’t make it in time.

I do.

And now, it’s all my fault they’re too late.

Despite him having dementia.

Despite them not visiting in over a month.

But I won’t let anger win.

After all, we’re all grieving, aren’t we?

Surely, as a family, we can let bygones be bygones.

It’s what Dad would want. Expect.