Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

Love & Homegrown Magic by Patricia Bossano is a delightful story of the life of Maggie, born into poverty in the rural backcountry of South America. Dolores and Vincente, Maggie’s parents, were determined their children should receive a good education, and everything in their lives was aimed at achieving that goal. Maggie, as the eldest, was the first to attend the Catholic school in the city, where she received a good dose of discipline and hardship but also the foundations for her faith and ultimately the magic of the universe that surrounded her. From there, Maggie’s journey would take her to New York, where she would find love but eventually all paths would lead back to her homeland, where, with her husband, Angelo, and her three daughters she would build a successful life to be proud of. All the while, her angels and the “see-through” people that surrounded them would assist them through the trials, the tragedies, and ultimately the good times, as their family built themselves up to be a formidable business and social force in the area. Decisions made determine the course of our lives and Maggie and her family would never make any decision without reference to their faith and the universal magic that surrounded and embraced them in its love and warmth.

Love & Homegrown Magic is a truly beautiful and heartwarming story. Author Patricia Bossano has created a strong, powerful, and determined female lead character in Maggie; one who frustrates with her unwavering conservative values and yet also delights and evokes smiles and warmth from the depth of her love and her willingness to always consult with and interact with the magical and whimsical forces that surround us at all times. The story is expansive and sweeping, covering around eighty years of Maggie’s life. As a reader, you become attached to and involved in her life and especially the lives of her three daughters, as they grow up under their mother’s strict but loving hand. I particularly enjoyed the magical serendipities sprinkled liberally throughout the narrative. It is hard not to read this novel and begin to hope and believe in the truth of the magical angels and see-through people that surround this family. That a reader becomes so invested in this work and its characters is a true testament to the author’s talents and her flowing, descriptive writing style just drags you along in an exciting, revelatory tale that, at times, makes the heart tighten and the eyes moisten. I really enjoyed this story and am definitely interested in checking out more of this author’s work. I can highly recommend the read, especially if you are feeling a bit jaded and world-worn in these difficult times. It will lift you up and allow you to celebrate the miracle and magic of life, no matter what the circumstances you may face.