The Vanishing of Josephine Reynolds - by Jennifer Moorman (Paperback)

About the Book

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.

Book Synopsis

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.

Review Quotes

'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.'--Historical Novel Society

'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.'--Publishers Weekly

'With rich descriptions of scenery, fashion, and characters, Moorman creates a vivid portrayal of the Jazz Age. She blends history and magical realism seamlessly in this absolute treasure of a book.'--Booklist

'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.'--KIRKUS

'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.'--Kerry Anne King, bestselling author of IMPROBABLY YOURS

'This twisty, intriguing tale is brimming with atmosphere, heartbreak, magic, and ultimately a bright spark of hope!'--Rachel Linden, bestselling author of THE MAGIC OF LEMON DROP PIE

'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.'--Kristy Woodson Harvey, New York Times bestselling author of A HAPPIER LIFE

'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.'--Barbara Davis, bestselling author of THE ECHO OF OLD BOOKS

'THE VANISHING OF JOSEPHINE REYNOLDS is absolutely mesmerizing! Jennifer Moorman expertly weaves a story of time travel, suspense, love, and the 1920s into a book with twists and turns and an ending I never saw coming. I stayed up WAY too late for too many nights simply because I couldn't put it down. It's magnificent!'--Maddie Dawson, bestselling author of LET'S PRETEND THIS WILL WORK

'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.'--Elizabeth Bass Parman, author of THE EMPRESS OF COOKE COUNTY

'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.'--Grace Helena Walz, author of SOUTHERN BY DESIGN