In "The Girl Who Chased the Moon" by Sarah Addison Allen, Emily Benedict returns to her mother's hometown after her passing, discovering family secrets and unraveling mysteries from the past. The story unfolds in a small town in North Carolina, filled with quirky characters and magical elements like changing wallpaper and ghost lights, creating a charming and heartwarming atmosphere. As Emily delves into her mother's history and navigates the town's secrets, she finds herself on a journey of love, loss, forgiveness, and self-discovery.

Characters:

The characters are well-developed, with Emily and Julia serving as strong central figures whose personal growth drives the narrative.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is whimsical and evocative, filled with charming descriptions that enhance the magical realism and emotional depth of the story.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around Emily Benedict's journey of self-discovery in Mullaby, where she learns about her mother's past and the town's secrets, while also forging new connections.

Setting:

Mullaby serves as a whimsical backdrop to the story, with its enchanting features enhancing the magical realism and emotional themes.

Pacing:

The pacing is airy and light, making for an engaging reading experience, though it has moments of slow reveal that some readers found tedious.

It took a moment for Emily to realize the car had come to a stop. She looked up from her charm bracelet, which she’d been worrying in slow circles around her wrist, and stared out the window. The two ...

Notes:

The setting is Mullaby, North Carolina, a town where residents are haunted by the past.

The protagonist, Emily Benedict, moves in with her grandfather after her mother's death.

Themes of nostalgia and confronting past traumas are central to the story.

The wallpaper in Emily's room changes based on her emotions, adding a magical realism element.

Emily discovers that her mother had a troubled history in Mullaby, causing resentment from the townspeople.

The story includes a romantic subplot involving Emily and a boy named Win Coffey.

Julia Winterson, a local baker, also plays a significant role as she navigates her own past.

The novel intertwines two perspectives—Emily's and Julia's—both dealing with their families' histories.

Food plays a significant role, particularly desserts, which are described in a way that makes them feel magical.

The story includes themes of forgiveness, acceptance, and the impact of family legacies.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The content warnings include themes of grief, family dysfunction, and bullying, which may be sensitive topics for some readers.

Has Romance?

The book contains a medium level of romance involving the characters Emily and Win, as well as Julia and Sawyer, but the romance is intertwined with personal growth and self-discovery.

implied steam level

From The Publisher:

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

"A dusting of magic, the aroma of sugary cakes swirling through the breeze, and a girl who unwittingly brings change to a town of misfits make for a sweet summer story filled with hope and forgiveness."-Beth Hoffman, author of Saving CeeCee Honeycutt

Emily Benedict has come to Mullaby, North Carolina, hoping to solve at least some of the riddles surrounding her mother's life. But the moment Emily enters the house where her mother grew up and meets the grandfather she never knew, she realizes that mysteries aren't solved in Mullaby, they're a way of life: Here are rooms where the wallpaper changes to suit your mood. Unexplained lights skip across the yard at midnight. And a neighbor, Julia Winterson, bakes hope in the form of cakes, not only wishing to satisfy the town's sweet tooth but also dreaming of rekindling the love she fears might be lost forever. Can a hummingbird cake really bring back a lost love? Is there really a ghost dancing in Emily's backyard? The answers are never what you expect. But in this town of lovable misfits, the unexpected fits right in.

Ratings (33)

Incredible (3)
Loved It (16)
Liked It (11)
It Was OK (3)

Reader Stats (82):

Read It (37)
Want To Read (43)
Not Interested (2)

2 comment(s)

zozopuff

It Was OK

8 months

turns out a person glows because of weird genetics and he likes to run through the forest at night

wz9bud391

Loved It

9 months

Plot, characters, magic

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The Girl Who Chased the Moon?

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About the Author:

Sarah Addison Allen is the author of The Peach Keeper, The Girl Who Chased the Moon, Garden Spells, and The Sugar Queen. She was born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina.

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The Girl Who Chased the Moon

Sarah Addison Allen