Read - The Coven

Title: The Coven

Author: Chrissy Lessey

Genre(s): low fantasy, women's fiction

Series?: The Crystal Coast Series, book 1

Publication Date: June 27th 2017

Rating: 7/10

*ARC received from NetGalley*

So, let me start off by saying I don't read a lot of what's known as "women's fiction" even though most of the authors I read happen to be female, but that being said this reminded me quite a bit of Practical Magic which I loved.  It also reminded me of, oddly enough, Boys on the Side because of all the support newly divorced Stevie has from friends and family in raising her young autistic son.  I am by no means an expert, but this book also seems to paint a pretty fair portrait of a mother coming to terms with autism and trying EVERYTHING to make her child's life just that little bit better.  

Most of the book seems to center around how everyone knows everyone in small towns and Stevie's day to day struggle in dealing with the reality of autism and her divorce. We're also introduced to  Susan, a bested crazy witch, and her daughter Vanessa who will do anything to get her mother's approval, even try to run down a young boy with a car.  Finally, in the last third of the book Vanessa and Stevie's confrontation can no longer be put off.  Can Stevie who's new to her magic and fighting to protect her son put Vanessa in her place once and for all? 

There's a little bit of romance started in this book that I hope carries into the later books since Stevie's ex-husband seems very territorial without respecting what she actually wants or needs.  Of course, I also want to see what happens with her burgeoning magic and her changing relationship with her mother now that they are both practicing witches.  If you're looking for some southern small town charm with your witchy eccentricity look no further.