Ghosts passed through the cottage sitting on the peak of Townsend Hill like passengers in a train station. Some, Teddy Ingram knew, stayed longer than others.

More than half a year has passed since the disappearance of Gemma Eakley, and Teddy Ingram still has no clue as to whether she is alive, dead or something worse. With Gemma's young daughter left in his care, Teddy haunts the rural haven of Townsend like one of its many spirits.

But then Aurelia - his beloved ex-rival - returns with the news that her own mother is dead - and a ghost forms from the pages of her farewell to give the would-be lovers a message: They won't let me rest.

One coven's efforts to reverse the looming extinction of witches involves resurrecting the dead. Her mother's old coven wants to know what secrets she took with her to the funeral pyre; did she have the key to fixing their botched attempts at necromancy?

Quiet Spells by Isa Agajanian is a compelling drama, a beautiful love story and a poetic urban fantasy. The characters of Teddy and Aurelia are fascinating in how their relationship evolves and the truths that they share with each other, even as they explore the mystery surrounding the disappearance of Gemma and the death of Aurelia's mother. The mysteries are engaging but what kept me glued to the page was the emotion between the pair.

I found the disconnect between Aurelia and Teddy fascinating in the beginning, how their communication to each other unraveled and yet didn't feel like just a plot device to create tension in the relationship. I also love the relationships Teddy has with others as well as Aurelia's with her father and sister. It was beautiful to see more of her life from America. I also like the way grief, loss and love are all intertwined in the story.

If you love darkly romantic stories about witches and magic and enjoyed the first novel, I highly recommend the sequel, Quiet Spells with its compelling drama. Teddy and Aurelia will enthrall you and the magic will keep you engaged.

Rating: 5 out of 5 feathers ~~ Andrea Rittschof

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