Follow the Crumbs: A Delightful Return to Shadow Hills
Every now and then, you come across a book that feels like slipping into an old, cozy sweater, and Follow the Crumbs by Amanda M. Lee is just that for me. Having first ventured into the enchanting world of the Two Broomsticks Gas & Grill Witch series back in 2021, I quickly fell in love with the charm of Shadow Hills, the small-town quirkiness, and the delightfully imperfect main character, Stormy Morgan. After reading the first three installments, I paused my journey—life getting in the way, as it often does—but a yearning for something familiar drew me back to this whimsical world, and what a comforting return it was!
In Follow the Crumbs, Stormy grapples with her burgeoning witchy powers while navigating the complexities of rekindled romance with her high-school sweetheart, Hunter. The heart of the story is indubitably centered around characters, not plot twists, which makes sense given the cozy vibes Lee has crafted. The humor remains delightfully sharp, woven with snark and cleverly placed gags. For instance, one side character humorously suggests Stormy should write a book about her journey, mirroring the readers’ own experiences. It’s empowering and relatable—something many readers can resonate with while basking in the familiarity of a beloved trope.
A highlight of this installment is angelic yet cheeky Krankle—the talking cat who sings Nickelback and demands an endless supply of tuna. This outlandish touch injects even more humor into the mix, though I can’t quite shake the feeling that he’s more than just your standard feline. This blend of camaraderie with fantastical elements is what keeps me hooked on Lee’s writing.
This return to Shadow Hills also gives Stormy a moment of sweet revenge against her high school nemesis, a plot point I found particularly satisfying. It speaks to the universal fantasy we all hold for karma to come around. The tender moment when a best friend reveals a personal secret and receives unexpected support reflects the deeper themes of friendship, loyalty, and growth. Yet, I found my heartstrings tugged a bit too much during the lovey-dovey exchanges between Stormy and Hunter—a little saccharine for my taste.
Amanda M. Lee’s writing style is engaging, blending witty banter with warm narratives, and this installment flows well with a rustic charm that feels even more pronounced compared to previous books. However, I do wish to see less of Aunt Tillie and the Winchester Witches from Lee’s other series; I crave the depth of Stormy’s own world over crossovers that distract from her journey.
The ending left me with a tantalizing sense of anticipation—loose ends are notably left dangling, hinting at more adventures to come (there are currently nine books in the series!). While the mystery aspect fell somewhat to the background this time around, the connection to the characters and the engaging humor more than made up for it.
Follow the Crumbs is a delightful escape for those seeking quirky characters and a comforting narrative laced with magical realism. Readers looking for a lighthearted journey filled with laughter and a touch of nostalgia will thoroughly enjoy this book. Personally, it was a whimsical reminder of why I initially fell in love with this series, and I can’t wait to return to Shadow Hills for more of Stormy—and her undoubtedly outrageous cat companion.
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