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The Vanishing of Josephine Reynolds

A Charming and Uplifting Novel with Heartfelt Storytelling

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The Vanishing of Josephine Reynolds

By: Jennifer Moorman
Narrated by: Kathleen McInerney
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Now a USA TODAY bestseller!

"The Vanishing of Josephine Reynolds drips with lush Jazz Age detail, a vivid cast of characters, and a protagonist whose future literally depends on her ability to navigate the past." --Barbara Davis, bestselling author of The Echo of Old Books

A captivating tale of family bonds and unexpected chances, threaded with the thrilling magic of time travel, by the author of The Baker's Man and The Magic All Around.

Can one thoughtless wish erase a life?

Widowed at thirty-five, Josephine Reynolds wishes she could disappear, but her concerned sister convinces her to buy their ancestral home, a Craftsman bungalow in disrepair and foreclosure. It's a welcome distraction, and Josephine can't believe her luck when she finds the home's original door in a salvage yard.

When she installs the door and steps through it, Josephine is transported into 1927, where she meets her great-grandmother Alma, a vivacious and daring woman running an illegal speakeasy in the bungalow's basement. Immersed in the vibrant Jazz Age, Josephine forms a profound bond with Alma, only to discover upon her return to the present that history has been altered. Alma's life was tragically cut short in a speakeasy raid just a week after their fateful meeting.

Josephine has a chilling revelation--her own existence is unraveling/vanishing--and she must race against time to rewrite history. Josephine is desperate to not only save Alma but save her own future in a time-bending journey where past and present intertwine in a desperate battle for survival.

Infused with Jennifer Moorman's signature blend of magical detail and heartfelt storytelling, The Vanishing of Josephine Reynolds is a tale of resilience in the face of loss and a testament to the timeless bond of family.

 Genre Fiction Magical Realism United States Women's Fiction World Literature Heartfelt Magic Time Travel

Critic reviews

'An ancestral home holds stories, secrets, and maybe even the ability to rewrite history in Jennifer Moorman's latest enthralling must-read. THE VANISHING OF JOSEPHINE REYNOLDS seamlessly blends the present day with 1927--and a splash of Moorman's signature magic--in a moving, unputdownable race against time. A testament to family ties, the power of love, and the indomitable human spirit, Moorman's latest proves that, sometimes, the impossible can become possible. I was hooked from the very first enchanting page.'
'In THE VANISHING OF JOSEPHINE REYNOLDS, Moorman deftly weaves her trademark everyday magic into a tale of time travel, mystery, and romance. At the heart of the story is Josephine, a young woman so stricken by grief that she wishes to no longer exist. Transported to the 1920s when she passes through a magical door, Josephine has one last chance at life--if she can find the courage to live and love again.'
'In this magic-tinged novel, time travel to the Prohibition era gives a grieving woman a way to change her life and save her family . . . Part fantasy, part romance, part coming-of-age story, this sweetly told tale of a woman's search for her true self is imbued with Moorman's trademark touch of magic. A delightful heroine jumps into the past in order to embrace her future.'
'Jennifer Moorman charms readers again with this time-traveling delight. Join Josephine Reynolds as she visits the 1920s, trying to right a wrong that set into motion a series of life-threatening events. Fanciful and fast-paced, THE VANISHING OF JOSEPHINE REYNOLDS is another winner for Moorman.'
'Jennifer Moorman compassionately sifts through the complicated emotions plaguing Josephine, particularly about finding love again and re-defining herself . . . This is a sweet tale of a woman lost in a fog of grief whose only hope of finding her future is through the past.'
'Moorman (THE MAGIC ALL AROUND) delivers a heartwarming story of love, loss, and time travel . . . readers will be captivated by Moorman's lovely descriptions of the 1920s. It's sweet and comforting reading.'
'THE VANISHING OF JOSEPHINE REYNOLDS charms all the way from the enchanted door and its whispered passwords to the raucous speakeasy. It is impossible not to root for Josephine as she fights against the sands of time--and her own vanishing--to save her family and unearth her truest self in the process. Jennifer Moorman shines.'
'THE VANISHING OF JOSEPHINE REYNOLDS drips with lush Jazz Age detail, a vivid cast of characters, and a protagonist whose future literally depends on her ability to navigate the past. In one novel, Jennifer Moorman gives us a time-bending tale of both suspense and self-discovery and a heroine we can't help but cheer as she learns what she's truly made of--and perhaps, how to love again.'
All stars
Most relevant
I was privileged to be an ARC reader for this novel.

Due to this book having a time travel element to it, I didn't think I'd like it much due to not liking Sci-Fi, which time travel tends to happen in, but boy was I wrong! It was instead more the magic of finding Narnia behind the wardrobe door, mixed with how I wished The Great Gatsby would have turned out!

I loved the historical fiction to this. Learning about Alma and the 1920s was just so magical I didn't want it to end. Picturing their lovely dresses, hair dos and jewellery just made me gush whenever the chapter revolved around this, as the author detailed it all so beautifully it was just so easy to picture the vibrancy and excitement of it all. Imagining them dancing in those swishy dresses, fancy attire, and bouncing jazz music just made my heart so happy. ( Why, oh, why don't we still dress like this?! )

There were so many times I really connected with Josephine, so much so it was to the point I'd cry at the moments when she did! It's also why I think her husband was a controlling ass. I loved watching her gain her confidence and identity back thanks to Alma and her friends. Her previous struggles with her loss of self, whilst trying to please her husband, just really resonated with me, as it reminded me of myself with my controlling ex.

The author was really amazing at drumming home what I took as the moral of the story:

It's amazing to love someone, but you should never change or mould yourself to fit their wants and needs to accomplish this, because if you do, is it really love?! Do what makes you happy, not what you expect others would want you to conform to. It's ok to feel.

I loved the characters and world building of this novel. It made everything seem so magical. I often found myself wanting to jump into their timeline just like Josephine to see how beautiful it all was back then! I laughed and cried over this a lot, so needless to say, Josephine will always have a special place in my heart. It particularly tickled me to imagine cranking the car to start before you could make your getaway, such perfect little details like this that just made me smile so much.

A joy to read, I highly recommend Josephine and Jennifer for her amazingly beautiful world building. Thank you so much, Jennifer, for allowing me the pleasure of being one of the first to read your book!

The magic of finding Narnia behind the wardrobe door, mixed with how I wished The Great Gatsby would have turned out

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