Magic in Mauve by Nonna Gerikh is a novella that follows three women, each distinctly different in almost every conceivable way. Told in a series of lightly connected vignettes, the story of a delicate mauve skirt begins with its maker, Monique, who is grateful for her luck in finding the most perfect last few yards of the skirt's fabric. Gerikh then moves on to Zorina who lives in the Persian Gulf, a girl followed as she grows from the first wrapping of the hijab through to the blossom of love into adulthood. Finally, Alison is a Dublin fashion designer hoping to one day be known by only her first name. The mauve skirt weaves its way through the lives of the three women, casting its spell upon each life.

"Monique threw the bag containing the skirt on top of the pile of clothing, not bothering to look back. Maybe someone else could get some use out of it. It had brought her nothing but bad luck and she hoped to never see it again." Gerikh has written an entertaining and lighthearted story that will likely appeal to most age groups. Magic in Mauve is an engrossing, clean tale that allows readers to be armchair tourists across continents and into the hearts and minds of Monique, Zorina, and Alison. I liked Monique's story the most, primarily because I believe the relationship issues she has are relatable even if hers are more protracted. That said, Zorina's world is so vividly drawn it often feels alive, whereas Alison takes readers on a whirlwind trip into the world of fashion. This is a comfortable read that can be devoured in a single afternoon, and that's a good thing since Magic in Mauve is not easy to put down.

Magic in Mauve by Nonna Gerikh is the story of three very different women - Monique, Zorina, and Alison - who are brought together by a skirt that was created by Monique and that women claim has magical properties. The story had the feel of The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants to it and I love stories where you have all these different people and their lives become intertwined by seemingly random acts. The story moves at a good pace, is not a particularly long read, and could be easily completed in a couple of sittings. The characters are all likable and relatable, despite their differences. I think that each of their stories developed well and that each woman goes through their own individual journey. The story was enjoyable and I felt it was easy to follow. I kept reading to find out what would happen next.

Nonna Gerikh has created an interesting and charming book in Magic in Mauve. It was nice to read something positive and lighthearted for a change. I think it would do well on the market and would work in the chick lit as well as the romance genre. There is a huge market for these kinds of books and especially clean romance as I know a lot of people prefer that. The women come from very different backgrounds, countries, and cultures but they are not that different at heart. I think because of the inclusivity of this, Magic in Mauve will appeal to many different women. I would definitely recommend it.

Nonna Gerikh’s Magic in Mauve expertly weaves together the stories of three women trying to balance the demands of everyday life with their desires to find lasting and meaningful love. The novel begins with the story of Monique, a young woman preparing for her upcoming wedding. She crafts the perfect skirt for her honeymoon: a magical masterpiece in mauve. This enchanted skirt sets in motion a series of events that changes the course of her life, and the lives of two strangers, forever. The novel continues with the stories of Zorina, a princess tangled in a forbidden romance, and Alison, a Parisian fashion designer juggling unrequited love, a successful career, and deep loneliness. The richly developed characters and suspenseful plot left me turning page-after-page, eager for more. This nuanced and expertly narrated novel deserves a place on everyone’s summer reading list. Highly recommended!

Love this book! Majic from start to finish!