A robot no more, Evelyn launches herself into a self-taught transformation, declaring “Once you have fallen this low, the only way is up” and taking on CrossFit, meditation, spiritual seeking, the study of myriad beliefs and traditions, from tarot to numerology, and ultimately the trust in a Higher Self. “Magic happens when we relinquish the ego and accept that the world is nothing short of an illusion,” Nathan writes, and such magic soon suffuses Evelyn’s life, as wildlife, coincidences, and various “synchronicities” become so abundant around her that friends begin to notice–and to undertake their own spiritual journeys, too.

Nathan’s approach in this novella is to lead by example. The narrator tells readers about witnessing Evelyn’s transformation from the outside, updating us with telling details or striking insights. The effect is similar to a friend recounting a mutual acquaintance’s mindfulness and wellness journey—it’s easy to feel inspired by the prospect that you could do it, too, though there’s no clear, established set of steps to take. The result is a report of someone who has changed her life and discovered that we learn best from each other’s examples—and an invitation to learn from hers.

Takeaway: An account of a woman’s transformational journey—and an invitation to undertake one, too.

Great for fans of: Bev Janisch’s Awakening a Woman’s Soul, Sue Patton Thoele’s The Mindful Woman.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: B
Marketing copy: A-