Magical Midlife Survival Guide by Larissa Emerald
The Wine, Chocolate & Paranormal Shenanigans series, book 1. Women’s paranormal fiction. Slightly older female protagonist. Trigger warnings: mental and physical abuse. Cliffhanger.
At forty-two, and now experiencing physical abuse from her husband, Lainie takes her two kids and leaves him for a safer address. On her own, and no money and children to keep fed, she gets creative with Halloween and recycling when she discovers a forgotten pocket watch that thrusts her into a world of magic. Lainie had no idea she has had the power of magic within her. Suddenly she has money by the duffel bag, and dozens of toads in her house. She is going to have to figure it all out before her soon to be ex-husband realizes that something has changed with Lainie.

Surprising events for wayward magic. I don’t trust that ex doesn’t already know. There are several unanswered questions that will hopefully be resolved in the next book.
The author calls it a happy for now ending. It felt a bit abrupt to me and open ended which will make you want to pick up the next book to find out what happens. So cliffhanger.
Amusing but not totally clear world building which may be deliberate.
3.5 ( )