I love Sarah Addison Allen and her stories. This one however took me a bit to get into I think because I subconsciously didn't want to read it and be caught up on everything she's written. I love the was she writes, and the feelings I have when wrapped up in her books. This book however was a bit light and while it could be a stand alone, I feel like you would miss a lot if you hadn't read Garden Spells. 
 I did like seeing how the Waverley women have grown since Garden Spells and how things have changed and stayed the same. This book left me with warm fuzzy feelings like all of her books, and now I'm sad I have to wait for something new to read from her.