First Frost, by Sarah Addison Allen

The rather strange Waverley family of Bascom, North Carolina made their initial appearance in Garden Spells, the author’s first foray into fantastical romance fiction. Ten years later the Waverleys and their town are revisited in First Frost. As ever the focus is on food and its magical properties, but the story also delves into the burden of family expectations and the importance of a sense of place. Fifteen-year-old Bay’s special Waverley gift is knowing where things and people belong. She knows she belongs with Josh Matteson, but everyone in Bascom knows that Waverleys and Mattesons don’t mix. A mysterious visitor to Bascom seems to have information that could disrupt and undermine caterer Claire’s gift, but it is possible she has been doing that for herself with her self-doubt. Everything usually goes a bit crazy for Waverleys in the lead-up to the first frost of the year, which this year coincides with Halloween. Can the family hold things together until the cold arrives?