Toil and Trouble follows Martha May McKenzie, a wildly eccentric witch who hides her magic behind a tangle of snowy hair, a questionable eye patch, and a whole lot of chaotic charm. The story kicks off with her zipping across the countryside using a lavender broom she refuses to ride in the traditional way. Soon, her daughter Jamie and grandchildren arrive at Martha’s strange new home, still grieving the loss of Scott, their father and husband. From there, the book tumbles into a mix of heartfelt family struggles, magical mishaps, an unforgettable goat named Bubbles, and a dangerous witch’s council with secrets of its own. It blends grief, humor, and adventure in a story that keeps shifting between tender moments and absolute mayhem.

As I read, I kept catching myself laughing at the sheer weirdness of Martha’s world. The sparkly helper who explodes into sand, the nose-summoning magic, the whistling fish in business suits, even the awful but lovable goat, Bubbles. The writing leans fully into its own silliness, and honestly, I enjoyed that. The author knows how to paint a scene in bright colors. Sometimes the descriptions get a little long, yet I never felt bored because the voice stays playful. It felt like listening to a great storyteller who waves their hands a lot and grins at their own jokes. Beneath all the glitter and goop, though, you can feel the weight of the family’s grief. Scott’s death hangs over everything, and the moments where Martha tries to lift her family’s spirits hit surprisingly hard. I didn’t expect that blend to work, but it does.

The humor comes fast, sometimes so fast it interrupts the emotion. There were somes scenes that would leap into another gag or magical mishap before the emotions of the previous scene can settle in. Still, the characters won me over. Martha is ridiculous in the best way, and Jamie’s frustration feels painfully real. Their clashing personalities create a lot of the book’s energy. The kids bring softness to the story, too. They are grieving but curious, scared but hopeful, and watching them slowly open up again gave the book heart. Even the villains have flair. The witches’ council is both frightening and funny, and their magical poker games made me laugh more than I expected.

Toil and Trouble struck me as a warm and quirky story about family, healing, and the messy ways we try to take care of each other. It is silly, loud, and full of wild imagination. It is also gentle where it needs to be. I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy whimsical fantasy with strong character voices. It is perfect for anyone who likes heartfelt stories wrapped in humor, magic, and a touch of chaos.

Pages: 200