This was a very simple book with a simple plot set in rural Colorado during World War II. The story centers on Olivia Dunne, a young woman with academic aspirations of becoming an archaeologist, whose life takes an unexpected turn. To mitigate the scandal, she enters into an arranged marriage with Ray Singleton, a quiet and hardworking farmer. After reading Ann Howard Creel's *The Magic of Ordinary Days* and watching the movie, I felt—if only there were more people like Ray in this world, it w...

There’s a quiet, gentle charm to "The Magic of Ordinary Days." I almost hesitate to summarize it, for fear of giving too much away. Perhaps I'd say it's about a woman whose life takes an unforeseen turn. Along the way, she encounters unexpected joys and valuable life lessons. She discovers love in the most surprising of places. She starts out knowing the world, but by the end, she understands true wisdom. Ultimately, Ann Howard Creel's "The Magic of Ordinary Days" is a story about coming of age....

3.5 Stars Reviewers often use a star rating system, and I'm employing one here to express my sentiments about "The Magic of Ordinary Days" by Ann Howard Creel. It's a solid 3.5 stars for me. This historical fiction novel, while beautifully written and deeply evocative of its time, left me wanting just a little bit more. Ann Howard Creel masterfully paints a picture of rural Colorado during World War II, and the characters are well-developed and relatable. The protagonist's journey of self-disco...

Happiness can be discovered in the most surprising places and with the most unexpected people. *The Magic of Ordinary Days* by Ann Howard Creel is an enjoyable and heartwarming novel set during World War II. It's a story about forgiveness, trust, love, and fresh starts. Ordinary days can truly feel magical when you're with someone who genuinely cares. If you're looking for moving historical fiction, I highly recommend *The Magic of Ordinary Days*.

3 "whimsical, delicate but sometimes (often even) off the mark" stars!! 2016 Most Disappointing Read (Tie) Ms. Creel could have had a 5-star book here if she had taken more time and care with this gentle historical drama romance. **The Magic of Ordinary Days** takes place in Colorado in the 1940s. It is about an intelligent young woman who gets pregnant and is then sent to marry a socially awkward but loving farmer who is willing to raise the child as his own. She befriends two Japanese siste...

Re-read in 2019 Audiobook narrated by Justine Eyre, lasting 7 hours, 43 minutes, and 19 seconds I originally read this book years ago after watching the 2005 Hallmark Hall of Fame movie adaptation of *The Magic of Ordinary Days* by Ann Howard Creel. Over the past few days, I decided to revisit it and realized that my love for the main characters, Livy and Ray, stemmed from Felicity Russell and Skeet Ulrich's portrayals in the film. Livy, as written in the book, is harder to connect with, as she...

I really didn't like *The Magic of Ordinary Days*. Honestly, I found both the plot and the writing style too simplistic, the characters way too one-dimensional, and the relationships between them poorly developed. The characters' choices felt totally contrived, and I couldn’t bring myself to care even a little about what happened to them. I especially disliked the main character, Livvy; I found her self-centered and, frankly, lazy. You live on a farm during WWII, and you complain that you don't ...

I first encountered *The Magic of Ordinary Days* as a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie on TV. I was so captivated by the story that I knew I had to read the book. Olivia Dunne, the eldest of three sisters, stands out as the only unmarried one, dedicated to pursuing her master's degree in history. Intelligent and driven to improve her life, her ambition is to become an archaeologist. As the story begins, she's caring for her ailing mother. This is a straightforward tale of love gone awry during the ea...

I absolutely loved "The Magic of Ordinary Days" by Ann Howard Creel! I picked it up after being completely charmed by the Hallmark movie adaptation – and honestly, the book is even better! Set in the Colorado farming country of the 1940s, the story follows Livvy, who's compelled into an arranged marriage by her stern father after becoming pregnant outside of wedlock. She marries Ray, a shy and unassuming farmer she's never even met before her wedding day. This book imparts some beautiful lessons...

I absolutely adored this book. Reading each page felt like savoring a fine chocolate. The writing and imagery were simply exquisite. The story was crafted with such artistry and care, and I found myself completely invested in these wonderfully human characters, with all their strengths and imperfections. As my friend Laura mentioned, it was so rewarding to witness the protagonist's transformation throughout "The Magic of Ordinary Days" by Ann Howard Creel. I believe it was largely due to the inf...