It’s been a while since I read urban fantasy, and I loved this dip back into the genre. From the first page when Calliope Jones thinks she might have gotten knocked up by her Tinder-for-magical-beings date, I was sucked in, and the subtle humor and edge-of-your-seat action kept me entertained to the last page.

The story follows Calliope, a single mother of two teenaged boys who also happens to be a witch, as she investigates a crime against magical creatures in her hometown. Joined in the investigation by a moody druid, Tanner, Calliope learns she must seek the help of other witches to boost her waning magical powers and save her family.

Set on Salt Spring Island in the Pacific Northwest, Magic Remembered’s lush descriptions reminded me of the fabulous world-building of Deborah Harkness. The family dynamics—so realistic but with magic, too—were reminiscent of Alice Hoffman’s Practical Magic.

As a mature reader, I found it easy to identify with Calliope’s discovery of her own truth and her acceptance of her aging process. Calliope is an earthy, fierce, relatable heroine who’ll easily be able to carry a series. I can’t wait to read the next one!

Full disclosure: I received a free Advance Reader Copy of this book. All opinions are my own.